10/13/2026
When we protect our athletes, we protect Hockey.
Hockey players truly understand the meaning of perseverance and tenacity. To say they are experts at learning to get back up after they fall is an understatement. Not only does the sport require lightning-fast mental agility, it requires admirable physical strength. There’s nothing like balancing yourself on a steel blade while flying over a sheet of ice at tremendous speed. Get a hat-trick in healthy sport when you learn what resources, education, and prevention materials are available to you. When we protect hockey players, we keep this sport safe and healthy for all.
Courage First Athlete Helpline
Use this resource if you are in need of confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, informational athlete-focused resources, and guidance related to concerns about any type of abuse.
The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a no-cost call and text service for anyone in need. +1 888-279-1026
Common Hockey Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Hockey has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Hockey involves early sport specialization at a young age due to the skills involved. If athletes are not taught how to execute these skills safely or use the necessary equipment in a safe way, athletes are at high risk for injury. Not teaching athletes these necessary skills in a proper way can also be seen as neglect.
- Physical aggression is common in hockey, and unchecked aggression on and off the ice can lead to off-ice violence and/or abuse.
- In close team environments like hockey, socialized misogyny, or ”locker room talk,” may be accepted as a norm. There can also be a high risk of hazing, bullying, and peer-on-peer abuse between teammates. Treating these behaviors as “normal” can cause athletes and coaches to disregard consent and boundaries.
What’s the difference between tough coaching & abuse?
The Coach Athlete Relationship Dynamics Diagrams below can be used as a gut check; consider the conduct you experience and observe in your sporting community, and discern whether what is occurring aligns with a caring and supportive coach-athlete relationship. For athletes who have unhealthy relationship dynamics with their coaches, inappropriate behavior can be subtle and difficult to discern. Awareness and prevention of these patterns of power and control help keep everyone safe.
Current Events
Unfortunately, news articles chronicling misconduct in sport and unhealthy coach-athlete dynamics are frequent and widespread. Abuse in sport has been occurring for decades, and the public is now becoming aware of these hidden situations as more and more survivors bravely disclose and report misconduct they have experienced. #WeRideTogether is committed to increasing awareness and continually updating this compiled list of current events on the topic of sexual abuse in sport. Sexual misconduct is happening across all sports, at all levels, internationally.
9/30/2026
ASU hockey coach is put on leave; hospitalized player is unlikely to recover, family attorney says
9/11/2026
Parents Sue Black Bear Sports Over Youth Hockey Hotel Tactics
9/9/2026
Ex-Michigan hockey players sue, alleging hazing akin to ‘sexualized abuse’
10/18/2026
Youth Sports Families Allege Travel Company Threatened Their Kids' Playing Status If They Didn't Pay Lodging Fees
10/15/2026
Athletic trainer at San Jose school accused of sexual battery of student
10/14/2026
Details emerge on police raid of ex-Kempsville High School athletic director’s home
10/11/2026
As sports betting is normalized, college players have become targets of aggrieved bettors
Hockey Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety, Safeguarding, and Coaching within Hockey.
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7 Steps to Teaching Youth Athletes To Respect Umpires and Referees
Coaching
Gain an understanding of the importance of respecting umpires and referees.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
Physical Safety
Gain an understanding of CTE risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
Crash Course: Concussion Education
Physical Safety
Learn about the prevention and treatment of concussions.
Injuries in men's international ice hockey: a 7-year study
Safeguarding
Learn about incidence of injury during competition and ways to reduce the risk of injury.
Responding to a Sports-related Concussion
Physical Safety
Learn about concussion symptoms, protocol, and prevention in sports.
Survivor Stories
Survivors are increasingly stepping forward to bravely tell their stories. The following stories reflect the survivors’ personal experiences, as told by them, and may be triggering for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct. All information has been anonymized.
If you are a survivor interested in sharing your story and learning more about this process, please reach out to us at info@weridetogether.today.
We want to hear from you!
You are not alone.
What resources or information do you want for your sport? Contact us and let us know.
If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct or abuse, please access these resources for help. For additional information on confidential helplines, sexual assault reporting procedures, and mental health resources, click the button below.
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