Underage drinking probed; OHA looks into allegations alcohol consumed on team bus
Posted By Rob Tripp Whig-Standard Police Reporter
Posted 3 hours ago
The governing body for 12 top hockey leagues in Ontario is reviewing an allegation that underage players on a eastern Ontario team were drinking alcohol on a team bus this season.

The Ontario Hockey Association, the umbrella organization for 136 competitive teams, says it received a complaint against the Wellington Dukes of the Provincial junior A league roughly a week and a half ago.

Glenn Crichton, a senior official in the Cambridge-based association, said it has a policy that forbids drinking on team buses.

"We have an obligation as an association to enforce that policy [so] the answer's yes, we take it seriously," Crichton said.

Kingston native Marty Abrams is the coach and general manager of the Wellington team, a squad of 26 players ranging in age from 16 to 20. Seven Kingston-area boys were listed on the Dukes' roster this season, including former Kingston Frontenac Tony Rizzi. Several of the Kingston players are younger than 19.

Crichton said the association received, by e-mail, a series of photos. It has not yet verified who sent the material.

The Whig-Standard also received a package containing 10 photos that appear to show players and team management drinking beer while riding together on a team bus. The photos were apparently posted on an online social networking site.

"We received a complaint or information regarding alcohol on the bus and we are in the process of going through our procedure in terms of reviewing that," Crichton said.

Abrams is out of the country and unavailable for comment.

Tod Lavender, assistant coach and assistant general manager of the Dukes, said the team does not want to comment on the substance of the complaint.

"There were some allegations made," he said. "It's being looked at. To my knowledge, anyway, there's not a full-fledged investigation going on."

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Lavender said it is not a major issue.

"It's basically been between Marty and the OHA at this point," he said.

Crichton said the association is conducting a review that could lead to a more formal investigation.

"Once we get any complaint, the first thing we do is inform all the parties involved that we have received it and what the nature of it is, in terms of just the fairness process, that everyone is entitled to understand exactly what the allegation is," he said.

"We ask them to get back to us with a response or provide us with any information they feel would be helpful."

Once that review is complete, the association could appoint what it calls a fact finder who would conduct interviews.

A panel of up to three senior officials would then decide if a disciplinary hearing is warranted.

People involved would have the ability to call witnesses and be represented by lawyers at the hearing.

A hearing panel has wide latitude to impose penalties.

"There's everything from fines to suspensions and in between," Crichton said.

He said the association should have enough information within a week and a half to decide whether to launch a more detailed investigation.

Abrams is a successful hockey coach with a reputation for extracting top performances from young players.

Last year, a fraud charge against him was withdrawn after he agreed to pay $47,000 to three charities.

Abrams was charged with fraud in 2005 in connection with charity bingos he organized, including many in Kingston, that raised more than $200,000.

Abrams agreed that he would never again engage in charitable fundraising activities.

rtripp@thewhig.com

I do not think this is much of a story or a big deal.
Kids drinking, yes I know jest shocking.



Anyway link to site for above story.

http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=981788






Go Raptors !
Go Jays !


WEXDOG
09,11,01
Lest We Forget
11,11,11

I agree Wexdog. Boys drinking it happens everywhere......
But
It should not happen on a team bus
It should not happen with minors
It should not happen in our league
And

I can go on

My question is who purchased the beverages? Who allowed it on the bus?
and how did the players that were drinking get home when the bus arrived in Wellington, in their cars????????

Most of the players live in Wellington.

MY COUNT OF THE ROSTER IS THAT 12 PLAYERS LIVE WITHIN DRIVING RANGE.
SO ARE THEY ALL BILLETED??
IF SO THAT IS FINE...HOW DID THEY GET TO THEIR BILLETS??
BY THE PICTURES I SAW MAYBE THEY CRAWLED..
AS THE BEER ON THE BUS WAS MORE THEN ENOUGH

I find it disturbing that someone would post a comment to the effect of "kids drinking big deal". In fact this incident is something that must be treated with the utmost seriousness by the OPJHL.

Nobody can deny that Coach Abrams is an excellent Coach

What ever your opinion may be on the consumption of alcohol by minor's is irrelevant.

As an adult working with youth a parent has the right and in reality must be able to expect and demand that he act as a role model and example, any breach of ethics by a team official in this capacity is serious.

The consistency of excellence of the Wellington organization must be both on and off the ice. There are to many people who support this organization to be let down by this type of behavior.

This activity is also prohibited and illegal under the Liquor Licence Act of Ontario.

The pictures are clear and disturbing and a message must be sent by the league that addresses this issue on two folds specific deterrence to those involved and general deterrence to those thinking on engaging in the same sort of conduct.

Wellington you are a great organization with great people

the kids are not responsible and should not be punished at all. however the management staff should be punished. they are in charge of these kids. its naive for us to think this doesnt happen at some point on a lot of busses throughout the season but facebook/myspace strikes again. (i know of pictures of drinking on a bus from a different organization) we cant pretend that wellington is the first to do it. they are just the first to get outed.

I'm just curious how all you people have seen the pictures. And making comments about drinking and driving. Unless you were there you don't have a clue what happened. I know for a fact that this isn't the first time teams have had underages drink. It happens all the time in the OHL when the vets take the younger guys to the bars.

DJDuker, were you there?


I for one have never seen the pictures in question, but I am sure they will be available like a glass of water from our taps.

I do not promote this type of behavior. If it was just the player's doing it, hey it is wrong they know better and that is it.
A lot of great points have been put forth in this thread already and I can certainly see it heating up with more points being made.

The bottom line is this Duker, instead of pointing the fingers at who put the pictures out there and who sent it to the OHA. Point the fingers at who was really in the wrong!
it could have been spread inside your own team and got into the wrong hands by mistake. Things happen, but it just seems very funny when it involves the Duke's it is water under the bridge.

The OHA will investigate, but you know what, in my opinion it will not go any farther then it has as of now.

"Are You Ready To Rumble with the
Trenton Hercs"

"DJDuker"

Are you missing something here. The pictures have been circulated, they are very explicit, that's how everybody knows.

Also, everybody knows that vets will take out the rookies and drink with them, it's like a "baptism" it's not right but it happens. It's difficult to control players on their own time.

The Wellington organization, should be dealt with by the public authorities and the OHA severely. Suspensions and fines should be the order of the day.

next thing you know there will be a press confrence and the Dukes will become the 747's or Concord's,the Herc's is already taken

hahaha what a joke. do you really believe that. when players are on facebook posting pics its not hard for many people within the league to see the pics. with more and more adults joining facebook and other social networks its easier for them to see whats going on. thus people need to be very careful when posting incriminating items.

Why would someone from Millbrook be so concerned about this?

So which team did Wellington beat that they had to make a comment like this to the league. You cannot tell me that there isn't a team in the league that doesn't have players drinking underage.

Seems someones just trying to take shots at a great organization.

it was on the bus

It mentions one player and it seems he is only mentioned because he is from Kingston.

Keep in mind that no where does it say that anyone in management knew.
It certainly does not state that an (management)adult participated.

Please keep to the facts in the article.
Re-read it if you must.






Go Raptors !
Go Jays !


WEXDOG
09,11,01
Lest We Forget
11,11,11

Come on Wex, stop trying to smooth the whole thing over.

The pictures are quite clear and show coaches and staff involved and right in the middle of it all.

veteran players have taken younger players drinking for years and will continue to do so. the problem here is that it happened on a team bus which is very much against league rules. the coach and manager are responsible for what happens on the bus. someone in wellington is going to have to take the "fall" similar to myers when he was in port hope a few years ago. this story will continue to grow and will eventually get national media coverage so the oha will have to hand down a stiff sanction.

I am not looking to try and "smooth" things over.

I simply want facts only if players, coaches, organizations are going to be slagged.


I will say to this point I have not looked at the pictures.
I have not tried to see them, but I will now have a peek.



DO NOT POST THEM ON THIS FORUM !!!






Go Raptors !
Go Jays !


WEXDOG
09,11,01
Lest We Forget
11,11,11

I just talked to my son who played a year and a half in Welly for Tod and Marty he said they never once had beer or any alchol on the bus.I find it hard to believe the staff would have condoned this behavour. (boys will be boys)Im sure someone from Kingston has pictures of the alleged minor driving the bus and Marty riding shotgun.

Don Oliver

mookie you cant deny what is in the PICTURES that show what has occured. regardless of what past players say

I managed to see them and things are very clear.

I never defended any one I just told you what Ryan told me .I have not seen the pictures.I did see Evan at a photoshop cumputer class(just kidding)

Sure they drank, its not like they had any competition in the east? playin' a little tipsy kept the games interesting.

The Duke's were always used as a role model team for the east They are strong and certainly put good teams on the ice. It appears though the league must be a bit embarrassed because of what their role model has turned out to be.

I wish you all could see the pictures, then your statements would be changed whole heartly. No as classy as you all think.

the best part of valor ?

I am sure a celebratory brown pops are served up to minors on the occassional appropriate occassion in all cultures ... BUT... digital pics and surveilance are always hard to refute...The Facebook culture adds fuel to a spark.

Unfortunetley in this case - being caught on tape - someone will likely have to wear the horns and take the whacks.

Even if the intent was all good, the letter of the law and the puritans say otherwise... exactly who authorized minors on the bus to drink ? I mean were people of age passing them beers ? Was it self serve ? Where is the control ? Where would the buck stop if something went really wrong. We all know the answer to who has care and control. As harmless and innocent as it might be, pictures are worth thousands of words and can be twisted and spun.

I am not fence straddling - just saying that things should be kept in context.

Next time check the digital cams and cell phone cams at the bus door - what happens on the bus....much better than being thrown under the bus.

Mr Waho nailed it pretty good.



Ok some kids had a few drinks, "Stop the Presses" of all North American newspapers and call all TV and radio stations, we have never seen this before.






Go Raptors !
Go Jays !


WEXDOG
09,11,01
Lest We Forget
11,11,11

this reminds me of what happened in port hope a few years ago but this is not as bad. in port hope had the police not been called and the players actions become public it would still would be hidden behind closed doors. lots of other teams did what port hope did but they kept it quiet. other teams i'm sure have team parties with alcohol present but they didn't get caught. this is a serious matter in the oha's eyes and i would expect a serious penalty.

This sums up most of the negative posts in this and the other thread. From wellingtondukes.com:
"They say the easy part is getting to the top of the mountain, the hard part is staying there while others try to knock you off. That has been the case this week with other OPJHL teams taking runs at the Dukes who are coming off their 2nd consecutive championship season. The Dukes are doing their homework in trying to determine who is trying to knock them off the mountain and are confident they will succeed. The Dukes stand firmly behind their players and staff and will not accept this slanderous and malicious attack. All Coaches, Managers, Trainers and Executive will be back for years to come, and are working diligently toward an unprecedent three consecutive championships, commencing August 9th at training camp. Stay tuned for player signings in the next few weeks.

In the end, success breeds contempt and we know there are alot Coaches and Managers who have nothing better to do than try to destroy what others have accomplished."

Well put Dukes!

Have you seen the pics DJDuker?

Second of all, don't let your heads along with everyone else on the teams management swell up. I seen them they are clear and the league will make the final decision.

"Well put Dukes".

If that is a direct quote of what the Wellington organization has put out to explain their position on this most disturbing bus incident, them I can't believe it. Nowhere in the quote does management apologize and take responsibility or say that they will look into the incident and get to the bottom of what caused it to happen and deal with those responsible. Instead they say that they fully back the coaches and staff and everyone on the bus and blame the whole thing on other OPJHL teams that are trying to knock them off their high perch as a Eastern Division hockey power. Then they try to "rose colour" the whole thing with the fact they have won two Eastern championships in a row and are going for their 3rd consectutive Eastern title next season. WOW!! if I hadn't read it I wouldn't have believed it.

Has no one in the Wellington organization have the "B**ls" to step forward and take some responsibility for this unfortunate incident???

UNBELIEVABLE, THEY JUST DON'T GET IT!!!

The sooner the OHA gets involved the better.

Well put Stinger. If it was another team with this issue the Duker would be all over it. He has some ridiculous idea that the posters on the forum only ever pick on his poor Dukes because they are 'soooo gooood'. I get so sick of his 'The Dukes are better than everyone else syndrome'. Good lord Duker...get over yourself. I'm not saying that other teams haven't done this in the past....the Dukes got caught so suck it up and deal with it! I saw the pictures and they are pretty incriminating. I wouldn't wish this on any team...including your 'perfect' Dukes.

I've taken the liberty of copying a small part of the statement from the Dukes web page that was highlighted. I would advise everyone to think very carefully about commenting on this subject any further. The Dukes are a very proud franchise and I would not want to be identified as an individual who was named in an liable suit or anything that may transpire because of this article. As far as I know, ,most of us here don't retain the services of lawyers like the media do, tread lightly friends.

"The Dukes stand firmly behind their players and staff and will not accept this slanderous and malicious attack"

I wonder if this happened to a team like Villanova if it would cause such an uproar?

I think that the Duke's organization better buy up or destroy all the "prima facie" evidence, ie: pictures, before they attempt to sue anyone for slander or they will be "spitting into the wind".

You need to be very, very careful and what you say from here on.

Oh boy here come the scare tactics. It is not slanderous or malicious for people to discuss or state their opinions of a newspaper article.

Using a lawyer to clean a house would be pretty expensive. Especially when all they do is hide the mess.

You are exactly right "mannmi90", slander?? what a joke.

If I was the Wellington lawyer, I would be worrying about the parents of the underage kids involved on the bus, suing the Duke organization.

this is copied from the opjhl handbook.

POLICY ON ALCOHOL
The Ontario Hockey Association supports the Laws of Ontario as they pertain to the
control, consumption and distribution of alcoholic beverages. The law is clear that it is contrary to the laws of the Province of Ontario, to consume alcohol at games or practices, in or about dressing rooms or team buses, or anywhere that is not a private residence or licenced establishment.
Teams need to be reminded of their exposure to liability and prosecution where issues of procurement of alcohol by minors, or the negligent supervision of alcohol product
distribution are involved.
All members of the Association must respect the laws regarding the consumption of
alcohol in their jurisdiction. Underage drinking will not be tolerated.
Team officials, administrators, coaches, volunteers and parents are discouraged from
consuming alcohol during any hockey event. If alcohol is legally and responsibly consumed during the event, the individual must ensure that this consumption does
not interfere with their ability to perform their duties, or to be involved in the event as a volunteer or a spectator.
No team member, team official or team parent shall be intoxicated at any time while
participating in a hockey event.
Alcohol is not appropriate:
• In arena dressing rooms
• In team settings where minors are attending
• In hotel rooms when young players are left unsupervised while the team’s adults attend hospitality type setting in guestrooms or meeting rooms
• In hospitality situations where minors are present and alcohol is not controlled by a server therefore becoming available to minors
• Open in buses or cars when travelling to or from an event
• If being made available to minors in public facilities
• In a team environment while travelling without parents to tournaments, championships,etc.
• At team player parties hosted by other players, parents or team officials, regardless ofthe age of players.
7

Thanks very much "offside12".

Wow it sure covers everything and everywhere, including the team's bus and "whiskey corner".

Oh, I forgot, there hasn't been a drop of alcohol consumed in "whiskey corner" in the past 30 years (cough, cough).

Are you the same DiSera that played for St.Mikes in 56-57? Just curious.

As for your hate on for the Dukes and Whiskey Corner.....it doesn't have anything to do with the Whitley incident does it? I seem to remember them getting into Whitley's head and him not having the composure to deal with it.

I had no connection whatsoever with the Aurora Tigers the year that Whitley was suspended, and as I have said before, I don't hate any teams, I just call things the way I see them, which when I last checked was part of our "freedom of speech" rights. My connection with the Tigers started in the 2004/05 season, didn't know a thing about "Whiskey Corner" until the Tigers played the Dukes in the 2007 OPJHL final.

As far as who I am, who wants to know?? Tell me who you are and I may answer your question. E mail me, I think we e mailed each other earlier this year regarding Maple Leaf tickets, did we not?? Maybe I'm wrong, correct me if I am.

the bottom line on this issue smc57 is that teams are rsponsible for the players ,they are responsible for precious cargo and too allow them to drink on any team occasion..is wrong! yes it does happen i'm sure all the time with alot of jr teams but they must recognize if something happens as far as injury or accident they are responsible! booze and minors don't mix. so the war mongers from wellington please just accapt it was a bad decision on the leadership of the dukes! i think alot of jr teams can learn from this incident!

"kimbo99"

Totally agree with you, you are 100% on the mark. Let's hope that the Wellington organization can realize where the responsibility lies and work hand in hand with the OHA and the governing authorities to bring this whole issue to the best ending possible and learn by it.

DJ DUKER... why does it matter who smc57 is! he is just stating the facts about the issue of minors drinking on a team bus! i find it highly unlikely u support your team on this issue but being the fan that u are i understand where your at on this! question dj does wellington sell liquor at the wellingston games? if no...why don't they ,it would increase their revenue where they can't increase attendance, because of the smaller rink! is it because the oha does not allow it or your executive does not want any part of it!my guess it's the latter of the two! i bet your exec. does not want to sell alcohol at their games because of the potential risks, and i would say it's a smart move on their part! do i think wellington allows alcohol reguarliy on their bus.. no, but there was an oversight here and somebody that was responsible for these kids should step up and say i made a mistake and how can i make it right! if we do nothing and say nothing it doesn't smarten people up from doing the right thing when your allowing kids to drink on a team bus! does it take a kid to get hurt or hurt someone else before we should get tough on this issue! if there's is a smoking gun as far as pictures then the oha willdeal with it, if not please leave them alone!

I think it would be better if this topic was put to rest for the benefit of the players, we can't assume all 21 or so were involved so with this going on and on your hurting some who my not have been a part of it. Let the OHA deal with it....move on!

Bravo!!! Far too many assumptions being made by people (gossip hounds)that do not know the facts. That's why there is an official process, thank God.

i agree dukestar somtimes when when u assume something u can look like the the first three letters or the word! an ass!!! so lets get the facts straight! and i have a question for u .. was there liquor on the bus and players consuming it?

That is the point. That question is not for me or you to determine. I do not know the answer at this time without all the facts. That's why there is an official process. Let's leave it where it should be.

seems to me that the pictures tell the facts. booze on bus, players/staff drinking booze on bus.

I agree that there is a process, but lets be realistic and honest. Lets not sugar coat it. Pictures are worth a thousand words. If someone can tell me that the pictures are not of Wellington players and staff, then I retract everything I said, which is not a lot.

do not underestimate oha on this issue...look at their reaction in port hope a few years ago! i'm not sure how the evidence compare on the two cases! time will tell...

I am not a person who "hates the Dukes", in fact I admire the fact that they always ice a strong team, and have fabulous crowd support at home, and on the road. They are a strong organization. I enjoy watching them play, and usually enjoy watching the banter on here.

I have not seen the pictures.

More than one person has come on here and said that they have seen pictures of players "AND STAFF" drinking on the bus. That to me, as a fan of the league, and as a parent is where the line gets crossed and I can't understand how even the biggest of Dukes fans on here can even begin to defend the team.

"muskie 1"

They can't, but they do.

This is becoming just a " Lets Drag the Wellington Dukes Through the Mud " thread.

It has just about run it's course.




The same people bring up the same points over and over, trying to keep this thread on top in an attempt, in their minds, to cause some harm to an OP organization.




Do not get me wrong, if a good, legitimate discussion were taking place, that would be different.
However it is just spiralling down an ugly hole.







Go Raptors !
Go Jays !


WEXDOG
09,11,01
Lest We Forget
11,11,11

Just because a few hockey players had a beer after winning a championship does not make an organization unclassy. If it is true, it does break the rules and appropriate punishment will be handed out.
In my 25 years of covering junior and senior hockey across this province, I have been on many many team buses, and I can honestly say that I have never seen booze on a Dukes' bus, although I wasn't on this particular bus trip.
I have, however, been on several buses where booze was present. There's an old saying, 'what happens on the bus stays on the bus!'
Unfortunately in this era of cell phone cameras, Facebook and YouTube, you have to be more careful.
Since you're so quick to call the Dukes unclassy, I'll relay a story for you.
Back in 1998 when the Trenton Sting went to the league final against the Milton Merchants, following the Sting's final game, there was a bar bill at Hooters in Mississauga that topped $1,200 and there was plenty of booze on that bus.
And even though I wound up having many wars with Sting management in the ensuing years, I never once considered them unclassy.
I would imagine the parents of the close to 40 players the Dukes have sent to the NCAA and OHL over the past decade would agree, Wellington is a model franchise.
In this particular incident I would imagine it is as simple as a couple of players' parents tossing a couple of cases of beer on the bus after the game, not realizing the rules. 34 people on the bus, 48 beer, 1.5 beer per person. That's a drunken orgy if I've ever saw one.
Come on people, if anything is done about it, it'll be a fine and that'll be the end of it. The Dukes will recruit more good players and put another good product on the ice, and so on...

You sound pretty confident Tim that there were only two beers on the bus. yes I know about the Sting days and I don't agree with it. This year alone many people have been killed by drunk drivers. Alot of young athletes as well, it may not be them drinking it it could be the others on the road, but it happens.

I agree Wellington will bounce back and ice a good team again and likely stronger than this year's was for sure. As for the pictures it is quite obvious it was a player's pics who got posted on the wrong spot. I am sure the player's have had a talking to. Regardless, this team got caught doing wrong. I don't know the rules but am sure the league will not take it lightly and if the punishment is light in the fans eyes, than that is another different debate.

You know as well as I do Tim your a Duke's fan and have covered them through thick and thin. Their trouble a few years ago was discussed on here to high ends. It got heated at times, but was kinda swept under the carpet even by the media. This incident on the other hand I don't feel will be.

It is in the leagues hands now and to say it will be a mild punishment is your opinion but I can't see it.