Ethical Decision-Making: What Would You Do? (Part Three)

Introduction

Coaching hockey is as much about decision-making off the ice as it is about strategy on it.

Every season presents new ethical challenges that test a coach’s integrity, fairness, and leadership.

In this third installment, we’ll explore six more real-world coaching dilemmas. Once again, ask yourself: What would I do?

Scenario 1: The "Gifted" Player Fee

The Situation

A talented player wants to join your team, but their family can’t afford the registration fees. The parents approach you privately, asking if there’s any way the player can join for free or at a discount. The organization has a strict policy that all players must pay, but you know this player would make your team stronger.

Ethical Considerations

• Fairness vs. Talent Acquisition: Is it fair to bend the rules for one player?

• Organizational Integrity: Would this set a bad precedent?

• Supporting Players in Need: Should financial constraints prevent deserving players from participating?

What Would You Do?

• Option 1: Follow policy and require full payment.

• Option 2: Advocate for a financial aid option through the organization.

• Option 3: Cover the player’s costs yourself or find an outside sponsor.

Discussion

Many organizations have scholarship funds or sponsorship programs for players in need. While financial constraints shouldn’t limit a player’s opportunity, bending rules for one player can create fairness issues. The best approach is to find an official, transparent way to support deserving players.

Scenario 2: The “Taking It Easy” Request

The Situation

Your team is dominating a game against a much weaker opponent. With a big lead in the third period, the opposing coach asks if you can ease up to avoid humiliating their players. Some of your players want to keep playing full speed to improve their stats. Do you tell your team to back off?

Ethical Considerations

• Sportsmanship vs. Competition: Should your team slow down out of respect, or is it part of the game?

• Player Development: Does asking your team to ease up hurt their competitive mindset?

• Opposing Team’s Experience: Could this be an opportunity for them to learn resilience?

What Would You Do?

• Option 1: Keep playing at full intensity but emphasize good sportsmanship.

• Option 2: Rotate lines, giving less-experienced players more ice time.

• Option 3: Intentionally hold back and play conservatively.

Discussion

Sportsmanship matters, but so does competition. Instead of telling players to take it easy, a better approach might be to use this as a teaching opportunity—focusing on passing, teamwork, and skill development rather than running up the score.

Scenario 3: The Questionable Equipment Fix

The Situation

Before a game, your goalie’s skate blade snaps. You don’t have a backup goalie, and the only replacement is an older blade that doesn’t fit properly. Your equipment manager says they can "make it work" with a temporary fix, but it’s not ideal. The player insists they can play, but you worry about safety.

Ethical Considerations

• Player Safety vs. Team Needs: Is it worth risking injury to keep your best goalie in the game?

• Short-Term vs. Long-Term Consequences: Could this create a bigger problem later?

• Player Input: Should the goalie have the final say in their ability to play?

What Would You Do?

• Option 1: Allow the goalie to play with the makeshift fix.

• Option 2: Sit the goalie and go with an emergency substitute.

• Option 3: Delay the game while trying to find a better solution.

Discussion

Safety should always be the priority. Allowing a player to compete with compromised equipment could put them at serious risk. Finding a safe alternative, even if it weakens the team’s chances, is the responsible decision.

Scenario 4: The Locker Room Confrontation

The Situation

After a tough loss, two players get into a heated argument in the locker room. One player shoves the other, and the situation nearly turns into a full-blown fight before teammates separate them. Do you step in immediately with consequences, or let emotions cool down first?

Ethical Considerations

• Discipline vs. Emotions: Should players be punished for in-the-moment frustrations?

• Locker Room Culture: How does this impact team chemistry?

• Leadership and Conflict Resolution: Should the players handle it themselves, or should you intervene?

What Would You Do?

• Option 1: Address the issue immediately and enforce discipline.

• Option 2: Let emotions cool, then have a team meeting to discuss the conflict.

• Option 3: Ignore it and assume the players will work it out.

Discussion

Team conflicts happen, but a coach must set a standard for handling them. Addressing the issue constructively—rather than just punishing players—can reinforce the importance of respect and communication in the locker room.

Scenario 5: The Recruiting Violation

The Situation

You hear that a rival coach is making illegal contact with players on your team, trying to recruit them for next season. One of your players tells you they were offered a spot on the other team, even though it's against league rules to recruit mid-season. Do you report the coach, confront them directly, or let it go?

Ethical Considerations

• Following the Rules vs. Letting It Slide: Should you enforce league policies or avoid causing drama?

• Retaliation Risks: Could reporting the coach affect your team or your career?

• Player Development vs. Team Loyalty: Should players be free to explore new opportunities?

What Would You Do?

• Option 1: Report the coach to the league for unethical recruiting.

• Option 2: Confront the coach directly and ask them to stop.

• Option 3: Ignore it and focus on keeping your players engaged.

Discussion

Recruiting violations harm the integrity of the sport. Reporting unethical behavior helps maintain fair competition, but how you approach it matters. Addressing it professionally through proper channels is better than escalating personal conflicts.

Scenario 6: The Underage Drinking Issue

The Situation

At a team event, you overhear a few of your older players talking about drinking at a party last weekend. You’re not sure how many players were involved, but your team has a strict no-alcohol policy. Do you investigate further, discipline the entire group, or let it slide since it happened off the ice?

Ethical Considerations

• Team Rules vs. Player Privacy: How much control do you have over players’ personal lives?

• Consistency in Discipline: If you ignore this, are you sending the wrong message?

• Long-Term Development: Should you use this as a teaching moment rather than just enforcing punishment?

What Would You Do?

• Option 1: Address the entire team, reminding them of expectations and consequences.

• Option 2: Investigate further and discipline those involved.

• Option 3: Ignore it since it was outside team activities.

Discussion

Alcohol use among athletes is a serious issue, and while a coach isn’t responsible for players’ personal choices, setting clear expectations is important. Addressing the team about choices and consequences—without turning it into a witch hunt—can reinforce team values.

Conclusion: Making the Right Call

Hockey coaches don’t just teach systems and strategies—they shape young athletes' character through the decisions they make every day. Ethical dilemmas require balancing fairness, safety, competition, and integrity.

Before making a tough call, ask yourself:

• Am I setting the right example?

• How does this impact all players, not just the ones involved?

• Am I acting consistently with my coaching philosophy?

• What will my players learn from this decision?

Ethical coaching means making hard decisions for the right reasons. So next time you're faced with a difficult situation, take a step back 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.