Ethical Decision-Making: What Would You Do?

Introduction

Hockey coaches face ethical dilemmas constantly—whether it’s deciding how to handle ice time, managing conflicts with parents, or dealing with player misconduct. Unlike tactical decisions that rely on X’s and O’s, ethical choices often exist in a gray area, where right and wrong aren’t always clear-cut.

Ethical decision-making in coaching isn’t just about following rules; it’s about setting the right example, maintaining credibility, and fostering an environment where players develop as both athletes and people. In this article, we’ll explore key ethical dilemmas hockey coaches face and challenge you to ask yourself, What would I do?

Scenario 1: The Ice Time Dilemma

The Situation

Your team is in a tight game, and the third period is winding down. You have a player who works hard in practice but isn’t as skilled as your top line. Meanwhile, your best players are gassed but still capable of making a difference. Do you shorten the bench and sit the weaker players, or do you stick to a rotation and give everyone a fair shot?

Ethical Considerations

• Fairness vs. Winning: Is it fair to prioritize winning over a player’s development?

• Commitment to Development: If you sit the weaker player, does it contradict your philosophy of growth?

• Parental and Player Perception: How will this affect the morale of the team and trust between you and your players?

What Would You Do?

• Option 1: Shorten the bench and play your best players in key moments.

• Option 2: Stick to equal ice time and live with the outcome.

• Option 3: Find a compromise—perhaps rolling all lines early but shortening in the final minutes.

Discussion

While competitive hockey often necessitates strategic ice time distribution, developmental teams and younger age groups should focus on equal opportunity. Your decision will shape how players view their role and commitment to the team. Transparency about expectations before the season begins can prevent conflicts when these moments arise.

Scenario 2: The Player Conduct Issue

The Situation

One of your top players is caught on social media making inappropriate or offensive comments about a teammate. You receive complaints from parents and players. Do you suspend the player, discipline them in another way, or let it slide because of their on-ice value?

Ethical Considerations

• Accountability vs. Team Success: Is allowing the player to continue playing sending the wrong message?

• Locker Room Culture: What precedent does this set for how players treat one another?

• Parental and Organizational Pressure: Will outside influences sway your decision?

What Would You Do?

• Option 1: Suspend the player for a game or two, regardless of their skill level.

• Option 2: Have a private conversation and warn the player without formal discipline.

• Option 3: Ignore it since it happened outside the rink.

Discussion

Ignoring misconduct, especially in today’s social media-driven world, can have serious repercussions. A coach’s role extends beyond hockey; it involves teaching respect and accountability. Addressing the issue head-on, with an emphasis on team values and responsibility, fosters a healthier team culture.

Scenario 3: The Recruiting Conflict

The Situation

You coach a competitive youth team and have a strong relationship with your players. Another team approaches you about a player they are interested in recruiting for a higher level. The player is talented and has potential to move up, but losing them could hurt your team’s chances this season. Do you encourage the move or discourage the player from leaving?

Ethical Considerations

• Player Development vs. Team Needs: Are you prioritizing the player’s growth or your own success?

• Honesty in Coaching: Would withholding information be misleading?

• Long-Term Relationships: How would this impact your credibility with players and parents?

What Would You Do?

• Option 1: Be honest and encourage the player to explore the opportunity.

• Option 2: Discourage the move and emphasize loyalty to your team.

• Option 3: Stay neutral and let the player’s family decide.

Discussion

Ethical coaching means prioritizing player development over personal interests. Encouraging players to pursue opportunities, even when it’s inconvenient for your team, builds trust and credibility. A good coach is someone who helps players advance, not someone who holds them back for their own gain.

Scenario 4: The Parent Pressure Problem

The Situation

A parent approaches you after practice, upset that their child isn’t getting enough ice time. They hint that they are major donors to the organization and that your job may be at risk if their concerns aren’t addressed.

Ethical Considerations

• Merit vs. Influence: Should playing time be dictated by skill or external pressure?

• Integrity vs. Job Security: Would giving in to this demand compromise your values?

• Impact on Team: How will this affect team dynamics and fairness?

What Would You Do?

• Option 1: Stick to your ice time philosophy and explain it to the parent.

• Option 2: Give the player more time to keep the peace.

• Option 3: Escalate the issue to the organization for guidance.

Discussion

Caving to external pressure damages credibility and morale. If a player earns ice time through hard work and performance, they should be rewarded accordingly. Transparency and consistency in your coaching philosophy prevent these issues from escalating.

Scenario 5: The Injury Cover-Up

The Situation

A key player takes a hard hit but insists they are fine. You suspect a concussion but know that losing them for a game could hurt your chances of winning. The player’s parents also downplay the injury, pushing for them to play.

Ethical Considerations

• Player Safety vs. Competitive Edge: Is winning worth the risk of long-term injury?

• Medical Responsibility: Do you have a duty to override the player and parents?

• Ethical Standards: What does allowing an injured player to compete say about your priorities?

What Would You Do?

• Option 1: Pull the player from the game and insist on medical clearance.

• Option 2: Trust the player’s judgment and let them continue.

• Option 3: Leave it up to the parents to decide.

Discussion

Ethical coaching requires putting player safety first. With growing awareness of concussions and long-term brain injuries, erring on the side of caution is crucial. A player’s future is more important than a single game.

Scenario 6: The Locker Room Divide

The Situation

Your team has developed a divide based on cliques. Some players refuse to pass to certain teammates, and off-ice friendships are causing tension. You notice it affecting game performance and overall team morale.

Ethical Considerations

• Team Unity vs. Individual Conflicts: How much responsibility do you have to fix this?

• Intervention vs. Player-Driven Solutions: Should you let the players sort it out?

• Long-Term Culture: How does allowing division affect future teams?

What Would You Do?

• Option 1: Address the team directly and implement team-building exercises.

• Option 2: Let players work through it themselves and only step in if it worsens.

• Option 3: Make lineup changes to force players to work together.

Discussion

A coach sets the tone for locker room culture. Allowing division can create long-term issues and affect performance. Addressing the situation proactively, fostering open communication, and setting team-wide expectations for respect and inclusivity are critical.

Conclusion: Coaching with Integrity

Ethical decision-making in hockey isn’t always easy. Each scenario presents a difficult choice with lasting implications. A strong coach leads by example, prioritizing fairness, player development, safety, and team culture over personal gain or immediate success.

When faced with an ethical dilemma, ask yourself:

• What lesson am I teaching my players?

• Am I being fair and consistent?

• Would I stand by this decision if it were made public?

• Am I prioritizing short-term gains over long-term impact?

Coaching isn’t just about winning games—it’s about shaping young athletes into responsible, resilient, and ethical individuals. Every decision you make influences their growth, both on and off the ice. So next time you face an ethical dilemma, pause and ask yourself: What would I do?

Ed Garinger is a seasoned hockey coach, mentor, and educator with over two decades of experience. A native of the Bruce Peninsula, he played minor and junior hockey before earning his BA and BEd from Nipissing University, where he also competed in varsity volleyball and extramural hockey.

Coaching since age 14, Ed has balanced his teaching career with an extensive coaching and development portfolio, working with players at all levels. He has coached in the Provincial Junior Hockey League, led youth and high school teams, and served as a learning facilitator for the OMHA. His experience includes elite programs like the OHL/OHF U15 and U16 camps, U17 Regional Camps, and Hockey Canada’s Skills Academy.

A Hockey Canada HP1-certified coach, USA Hockey-certified coach, and Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC), Ed is committed to ongoing professional development and continually seeks to expand his knowledge to better serve players and coaches. Now based in Orillia, he enjoys passing on his passion for hockey to the next generation.