"A 'rookie initiation team party' took place (at) the residence of our KMHA president. The players were all aware of the party, as were the team manager and our MHA president, whose 17-year-old son is on the team. Alcohol was being consumed by numerous team members of the AAA midget group at various locations on the property, all of whom were minors. . . . Later that night, the youngest of these players . . . (was) taken home because he was so intoxicated he was unable to stand, converse, and was repeatedly vomiting all over himself. Shortly thereafter, he was treated by paramedics and taken via ambulance to Royal Inland Hospital . . . for possible alcohol poisoning."
-- From an Oct. 21 e-mail sent by the couple with whom the player was staying to KMHA first vice-president Jason Perris and second vice-president Kelly Brandt.
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"If confirmed, the (B.C. Hockey) policy is a one-year suspension for all players involved for any type of initiation. This would seriously affect the midget AAA team, players, families and KMHA."-- Perris, in an Oct. 22 e-mail to the couple with whom the player was staying.
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"This incident was not sanctioned or an endorsed team event, therefore KMHA will accept no responsibility for the events of that night and no disciplinary action will be taken by KMHA."-- Perris, in an Oct. 23 statement following the KMHA's "limited scope investigation" of the incident.
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"There are many, many parents, along with myself, who are irate at what happened on that Saturday night, and (at) what is not happening to the president of the KMHA. . . . Unfortunately, I cannot tell you my name as I, too, must live under the 'code of silence' to protect my children."
-- Anonymous, in an Oct. 26 letter to The Daily News.
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"Motion by Marilee Hermiston that a letter to B.C. Hockey be written from Jason (Perris) outlining the uncertainty about (the player's) residency which came to our attention from this incident that happened. Seconded by Lesley Moser-Fidanza. Motion carried. Unanimous."-- From minutes of an Oct. 29 KMHA directors' meeting.
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"Motion by Jason Perris to refer (the couple with whom the player was staying) to the disciplinary committee about their conduct flowing from this incident as well (as) to address (his) review previously set by the Discipline Committee. Seconded by Marilee Hermiston. Motion carried. Unanimous."-- From minutes of an Oct. 29 KMHA directors' meeting.
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"When this incident was first reported, this young hockey player reportedly had a blood alcohol reading of .31. . . . That would mean a third of the blood flowing through his body contained alcohol. Even the most-hardened alcoholic would have had trouble with those kinds of readings."-- From an anonymous Oct. 30 e-mail to The Daily News.
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"The Kamloops Minor Hockey Board has expressed concern in your behaviour as a member of our society involving an incident that occurred on Oct. 20, 2007. The KMHA Board has asked that the Discipline Committee review your conduct. . . . The Committee is inviting you both to attend our meeting and represent yourself."-- Perris, in an Oct. 30 e-mail to the couple with whom the player was staying.
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"I would like to sincerely apologize for all of the negative media attention I have caused our association to be subjected to these past 10 days. I take complete responsibility for my son's party that evening and have not avoided that fact from the onset of the incident and investigation. . . . My son has hosted gatherings before with the basic rules of: Maximum of 25-35 guests, if you drive and plan on drinking, then you will leave your car at our house and guests are to pre-arrange rides. . . ."-- From a Nov. 2 letter to all KMHA members from president Stan Burton.
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"I have listened to people tell me for years what a friggen idiot you are, but this has really proved it to me. . . . I am . . . the parent of teenagers and know how hard it is in today's world to raise them and, yes, we all do make mistakes from time to time. I assume you never have in your time from your goings on and on and on."-- From a Nov. 2 e-mail signed by Someone Tired of Reading your articles.
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"This whole thing makes me sick to think that a man with such power makes MOST of the general public out there keep their mouths shut in fear of marks against their kids in hockey. . . . The thought of being blackballed is on many minds so they will not respond."
-- From an anonymous Nov. 2 e-mail to The Daily News.
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"What is it with the harrassing of the KMHA president? . . . These articles in the paper day after day are not doing anything good for minor hockey. The association was not involved to start with. What is your problem?"-- From an anonymous Nov. 2 e-mail to The Daily News.
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"I am in complete agreement with what has transpired regarding KMHA's reaction to the events in question. All board members have signed non-disclosure agreements as there is a lot of private information, some of which obviously involves minors, that was weighed in deciding our reaction."-- From a Nov. 2 e-mail sent by Initiation C director Jamie Humphrey to parents.
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"Sadly, there is a large core of parents who want nothing more than to stand behind the concerned (person) who stepped in to bring reason to madness and saved a child's life on that night in October. However, the fear of reprisals from the organization is keeping that wave of support at bay. . . . KMHA, you are shaming us all and making our work as parents much harder. How can I tell my 15-year-old that he shouldn't drink when you see the need to stamp out a voice that echoes the message of my own?"-- Kim Leslie, in a Nov. 2 letter to The Daily News.
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"You can all sit there and say 'it was not a team party.' GIVE ME A BREAK. Do you think we are all stupid? Just like when I invited (my son's) team to a sledding party. No, not all 17 members showed up, but rather 10 did, and they brought a few people. That little gathering was known as a team function. No, teams do not get sanctioned for every time the team has a 'gathering.' Should they? Yes. But do they? NO."-- Lee-Gaye Hicketts, a former KMHA board member, in a Nov. 3 letter to Perris and Brandt.
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"I know that nobody from (the KMHA) investigation team contacted (the family friend) who picked up the underaged child from the party. Why is that? Does anyone care how she feels and what she went through with an unconscious 15-year-old dying in her arms?"-- From Hicketts' letter to Perris and Brandt.
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"Alcohol is not appropriate:"In team settings with minors in attendance.
"Consumed by anyone at minor team parties hosted by other players, parents or team officials.
"If forced on another person.
"If used for 'chugging' contests or as a form of hazing or initiation for rookies."
-- From B.C. Hockey's Zero Tolerance Policy, under the subhead Adult Alcohol Guidelines, which was mailed to The Daily News.
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"This is a tragic event that took place. The sooner the board realizes this and takes responsibility the better off everyone will be and the town can move on."-- From Hicketts' letter to Perris and Brandt.
Gregg Drinnan is sports editor of The Daily News. He is at gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca.
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