It has been an unfortunate growing trend in minor hockey that parents are increasingly berating referees during minor hockey games. That trend is seemingly continuing this hockey season.
Ref Barricades Himself for Safety
A recent video was posted to Instagram showing a scary incident where a referee was forced to barricade himself in the changing room while waiting for police for safety.
In the video, you can hear people (who we can assume are parents) banging on the changing room door while the referee is on the phone.
Unfortunate Trend
This highlights an unfortunate trend in minor hockey, where there is a shortage of referees already. Oftentimes, refs are just young kids who make minimum wage and are looking to make some money part-time. Some leagues have made moves to emphasize when a ref is a minor by having them wear a different colour jersey.
Ultimately, parents should be watching these videos and realizing they need to be the cultivators of change. There is no reason to be berating referees at the minor hockey level.
As seen on Blade of Steel - "Referee forced to barricade himself in referees room while he calls the police"