The Editor,
Suspensions from a coach's side as to an over the top ruling that even made it to the big news.
My first complaint is with the Estevan Mercury. I understand about keeping the public informed of local news but to repeat the same offence, as NEW news is a bit much. I realize that you had contact with the president, Mr. Kelly Kjersem, of Estevan Minor Hockey Association (EMHA) over the suspensions to Mr. Yanko and myself and that Mr. Yanko declined an interview but I am wondering why a call was not made to me to perhaps enlighten you on more details about the incident that Mr. Kjersem is so inclined not to make public? Like Mr. Kelly Kjersem has said, "I'm not getting into the whole story."
I am not saying I am perfect but I have had successes as a player in very competitive leagues and as a coach with minor hockey teams. I felt that I had a lot to teach these boys about the game and what it takes to play at a high level. To be thrown under the bus a second time and have this situation be brought up again in the Mercury Sports section has ruffled some feathers.
Let me first defend Mr. Yanko. He did not have to have his name in bold print across the sports page again. He declined to comment numerous times and even bowed out from discussing this matter with CBC. Yes, CBC wanted the story on this shocking news or what they assumed had to be something terribly wrong in EMHA's system with the severe suspensions that were handed out.
I have coached with a lot of people and have yet to coach alongside a man that has more passion and enthusiasm for the game of hockey than Jeff Yanko. He is a very motivated individual that dealt with numerous issues and handled them well in the past three years that I have been involved with coaching beside him.
I am saying that when you weigh in the positives and negatives with Jeff, I know which comes out on top with him. In choosing a person to be in a system to coach, you want that POSITIVE coach and that coach would be Jeff!
My second complaint is with EMHA and their outlandish suspensions. The South Sask. Minor Hockey League (SSMHL) gave their suspension of 30 days to Jeff as compared to EMHA's indefinite that they have now ruled three years. SSMHL gave me a one game suspension as compared to a year suspension and three-year probation from EMHA. Before EMHA made their ruling don't you think they should have conversed with their governing association/league and consider the league's ruling and make a sensible ruling equal to it?
This incident happened on a Sunday and a verdict was handed out that Monday night without an official meeting of all coaches and parents involved with the incident and EMHA executives. The organization was pretty quick to draw conclusions of my involvement from a five-minute phone call with me, don't you think?
I am also confused about a recent incident that happened across the border involving a young Estevan hockey team's coaches and parents that has never been publicized. Again I will not get into the whole story as I was not involved, but should this not also be public knowledge. Should the Mercury be not looking into this as NEW news? I have not read this in the Mercury, not once let alone twice. Why hasn't EMHA publicized this offence? Do they feel that their members and the readers of the Mercury should not be advised of the organization's issues and the suspensions that supposedly they handed out? Or will we get from Mr. Kjersem again that he doesn't want to get into the whole story. I would really like to know what suspensions if any were given out and the details of what happened. From what I have heard, there should be some severe suspensions handed out. Do they "fit the crime?" Or are they to a bit outlandish or perhaps not severe enough considering what Mr. Yanko and I have received?
I've always been told, to get by in Estevan one has to be in the right crowd and I never wanted to believe it but after all of this, I really think it exists. I don't know how some people in the community can look themselves in the mirror and be comfortable with what they see.
In closing I hope the EMHA develops more of a backbone and actually holds meetings with all involved, and think long and hard before they give out such outlandish suspensions in the future.
I always thought we lived in a community where one could defend themselves with a democratic meeting with all parties involved. It is so disappointing to think that people volunteer countless hours to coach a sport they love but get no support from their organization they are affiliated with.
Future volunteers with EMHA beware and think twice before you commit yourself to countless hours taken away from your family time to commit to an organization and some of their members that are so very thankless.
It is very sad that the young Estevan hockey players will not benefit from the coaching abilities of Mr. Jeff Yanko for the next three years.
Thanks for publishing my letter,
Kevin Pastachak,
Bienfait, Sask.
(Editor's Note: The Mercury has inquired with Estevan Minor Hockey about the cross-border incident mentioned by the writer but were not provided with any further information.)
