Newfoundland hockey coach who let players study has his suspension overturned
July 19, 2012 - 3:32 PM
MOUNT PEARL, N.L. - Hockey Canada has overturned the suspension of a Newfoundland junior hockey coach who allowed his players to study for exams instead of attending the opening and closing ceremonies of a tournament.
Brian Cranford, the coach of the Mount Pearl Junior Blades team, received a one-year ban from Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador last month.
But in a letter to the provincial organization dated today, a Hockey Canada appeal committee said it was reversing that decision.
In the letter, the committee says there is no dispute that Cranford breached the tournament's rules.
But it says Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador went too far, adding that the penalties for such a breach allow for a loss of the team's performance bond and per diems.
The committee says the suspension should be lifted immediately.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador posted a copy of the letter on its website, and Hockey Canada confirmed it was accurate.
At the time he was suspended, Cranford said the tournament took place during university final exams and the team chose to put education before hockey.
He said it was not the team's intention to be disrespectful.
Neither he nor Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador's president could be reached for comment.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012