From The Daily News of Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007 . . .
By TRACY WATSON
Daily News Sports Reporter
The president of B.C. Hockey stands behind the Kamloops Minor Hockey Association and its handling of an underage drinking incident at the home of the KMHA president.
Al Berg of Vernon told The Daily News on Tuesday night that he is satisfied that the KMHA did a proper investigation into the incident, which involved drinking by members of the midget AAA North Kamloops Lions at the home of president Stan Burton.
"Yes, we are," said Berg, adding B.C. Hockey doesn't plan to follow up with further investigation of its own. "No, they've done a thorough investigation and handled it satisfactorily."
The incident took place Oct. 20, during a party at the Burton residence. One of the Lions players became intoxicated and was later taken to Royal Inland Hospital.
The KMHA launched an investigation and, on Oct. 23, issued a statement saying that the party wasn't a KMHA-sanctioned event, therefore there wouldn't be any discipline meted out to Burton or the Lions.
Kamloops couple Ladd and Monica Maloski, who were caring for the intoxicated player that night, brought the situation to the attention of local media.
The KMHA subsequently suspended Ladd Maloski, who was helping out with the peewee AAA team, for one year, and issued a warning to Monica Maloski.
Berg insisted he was satisfied that the KMHA handled the investigation and resulting punishment of the Maloskis in a proper manner.
However, other minor hockey associations around the province have expressed surprise that B.C. Hockey didn't begin its own investigation into Burton and the KMHA.
In fact, Jane Newman, president of the Prince George Minor Hockey Association, told the Prince George Citizen that she intended to discuss with her board whether any sanctions should be considered against KMHA, such as refusing to play teams from Kamloops, or if letters of concern should be sent to Hockey Canada and B.C. Hockey. That the incident smacked of hazing or an initiation was a concern, she said.
"I have no comment on that," Berg said. "(The KMHA has) done a perfect job of investigation and doing their thing, which is commendable as far as I'm concerned."
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