[NOS2Go4Me]

Amateur sports would be a much better set of choices for kids if they left the house leagues alone to be "fun" leagues. Instead, by the time you're 9 years old, max, you're groomed to become a pitbull without any remorse. You're taught to be increasingly vicious by age 12 so that you're "prepared" for hitting at the earliest ages allowed in organized hockey by Hockey Canada.

Personally, I think it's disgusting. I'm not advocating contact-less hockey as a profession. I'm not even saying that they should take it out of house leagues. I'm merely saying that it should be used as part of the game, not as the game.

I'm back to coaching this year after almost 10 years out of organized hockey as a team staff member. I've enjoyed it so much I'll likely move up to the next division and see how that goes next year. If my schedule allows, I'll keep both teams.

I'm not here for accolades, I'm just commenting based on what Dan just said and how it plays into my own goals to make a difference for kids in the community I live in.

Sports should be fun, first and foremost, for children as the majority of them will not play competitive sports beyond high school. Some will through college / university and their early 20s, but by 25 the only ones left playing are the professionals and the dedicated recreational players. Maybe we can get those numbers up a bit. Healthier people are generally happier people.