From the Ice to Adulthood: Why Bullying Remediation in Minor Hockey Is Critical

Minor hockey is about more than competition — it’s where kids build friendships, confidence, and so many skills they carry into adulthood. But when bullying or maltreatment takes root in the dressing room or on the bench, the effects they carry can last far beyond the final whistle.

The Long-Term Damage Is Real

Minor hockey players who are bullied are not just “learning to be tough” — they’re being exposed to emotional and psychological harm. Research shows:

• Kids who are bullied are 4x more likely to develop anxiety disorders as adults (JAMA Psychiatry, Copeland et al., 2013).

• Those exposed to bullying are twice as likely to experience suicidal ideation (Alavi, et. al, 2017).

• Children who were victims of bullying have been consistently found to be at higher risk for physical problems, and psychological issues such as anxiety and depression.

• Victims of bullying are at significantly increased risk of self-harm or thinking about suicide in adolescence.43 44

  
  

  Hockey is meant to build character, not crush it.

Why Remediation Matters in the Rink

Hockey culture can sometimes silence victims under the guise of "team unity" or "mental toughness." But without clear remediation, these experiences can erode a child's self-worth.

Remediation in minor hockey must include:

• Education and conversations with players

• Restorative practices between teammates

• Clear adult accountability — from coaches to association leaders

Evidence shows that when organizations take bullying seriously and implement whole-team education, bullying incidents drop by up to 25% (Ttofi & Farrington, 2011).

Protecting Our Players

Ignoring bullying in minor hockey doesn’t make it go away — it makes it worse. And both victims and bullies suffer long-term. By investing in education, youth sports, mentorship, and evidence-based policies, associations can send a clear message.

References 

• Alavi, N., Reshetukha, T., Prost, E., Antoniak, K., Patel, C., Sajid, S., & Groll, D. (2017). Relationship between Bullying and Suicidal Behaviour in Youth presenting to the Emergency Department. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry = Journal de l'Academie canadienne de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, 26(2), 70–77.

• Copeland, W. E., et al. (2013). Childhood bullying involvement predicts low-grade systemic inflammation into adulthood. JAMA Psychiatry, 70(5), 419–426.

• Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2021). Youth mental health in Canada: A national perspective.

• Takizawa, R., et al. (2014). Adult health outcomes of childhood bullying victimization. American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(7), 777–784.

• Ttofi, M. M., & Farrington, D. P. (2011). Effectiveness of school-based programs to reduce bullying: A systematic and meta-analytic review. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 7(1), 27–56.