Skirmish raises racism issue on competitive sports circuit

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Is the highly competitive and emotional game of hockey a breeding ground for racism?

An incident last month indicates the answer may be "yes", according to sources at Jan. 10 bantam hockey game in Edson. Coaches of both the Edson and Stony Plain teams confirm a fight broke out after the game and off the ice, most likely precipitated by name-calling aimed at Edson player, 15-year-old Jason Belcourt of Ron's Outdoor Nordiques. Belcourt's father, Allan, and Edson coach Jerry Neilson, claim racist slurs from several players of the opposing Stony Plain Maulers led to the fight.

Mauler coach, Ben Kronewitt, admits discriminatory remarks were voiced by his player, Corey Jodoin, who, he says "suffered a broken cheek bone" after being assaulted by Belcourt. Kronewitt says the pharase "dumb Indian" was used against Belcourt but denies racist comments had been used prior to the game.

Belcourt's father disagrees. "They've been harassing him for the last four years, calling him a dirty Indian. He just couldn't take it anymore. A lot of people in Edson have heard the name-calling, including the linesmen . . . they've said they would back charges against Stony Plain."

Jason Belcourt claims the name-calling has been going on for a few years now. "It's been mostly from the Stony Plain team," he complains, adding "the referees don't do anything" about it.

Stony Plain coach Kronewitt feels "compassion" for the Belcourt boy, referring to him as "an outstanding hockey player" he'd like to have on his own team. He argues the entire affair stems from an injury sustained by one of his players during the game. As for the fight after the game, he argues, "You can never justify an assault after the game; I feel he was encouraged by his dad . . ."

Belcourt says that Jodoin told him "to meet him outside after the game" which was when he purportedly got struck by Belcourt.

According to coach Neilson, Belcourt is subjected to racist comments because he's a good player and the name-calling is a strategy used to upset him and his team members and weaken their play. Team captain Belcourt is "probably one of the toughest kids in the league, but he isn't like that (a fighter)," states Nelson, pointed out his player has only been penalized a total of 16 minutes up until the Jan. 10 game and was provoked once too often.

Administrator for the Edmonton Minor Hockey League, Jeff Harmon, says "the best way to cure it (name-calling) is for him not to respond . . . and it'll probably stop after six months or so." Coach Neilson's advise to his player has also been "to look the other way."

Game suspensions to both players for their vocal remarks have already been served as directed by the hockey league, but another hearing is yet to come.

Apparently, the incident has not yet been presented to the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association. President Murray Copot, of Calgary, returned to Canada on Feb. 8 after being away since Jan. 19 and say he is not aware of any hearing but confirmed he would look into the matter.

The hockey association is expected to preside over the issue in early March. Meanwhile, both Belcourt and Jodoin continue to play for their respective teams.