In conversation with @iancapstick, I realized I badly overstated in a tweet this morning. So I’m going to delete that thread. And say what I should have said.

A few people in the media responded to Don Cherry’s bile with sweeping condemnations of “hockey” or “hockey culture” as “white” and “bullying.” Not the NHL. Not elite hockey. But hockey. And in contexts that made it clear they included kids minor hockey. Evidence? None offered.

Responding to nasty, sweeping stereotypes with nasty, sweeping stereotypes is always a bad idea. We’re talking about vast numbers of volunteers and parents and kids in many different regions. Tarring it all with a sweep of the hand is ridiculous.

Separately, my personal experience as a dad and coach in suburban minor hockey has been incredibly heartening. The people I’ve met - adults and kids - have been wonderful. And our teams are almost (not quite but almost) as diverse as our schools.

Of course I should not extrapolate my experience to the situation at large. (That’s where I overstated). I’m sure hockey has problems. It is part of our society, after all. But sweeping, unsubstantiated condemnations only foster hostility. Let’s not follow Don Cherry’s lead.