Coach on suspension: dangerous precedent

SUMMERSIDE - Kenny MacDougall says his former team has hung him out to dry.
The Summerside Western Capitals' ex coach has received a 10-game suspension and a $1,000 fine from the Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League following conduct at the 2009 RBC Cup in Victoria, B.C. in May.
MacDougall said Sunday he's being unfairly singled out and wants a chance to have his side of the story heard.
"I feel like I've been made a scapegoat here for what happened in Victoria," he said. "I understand the league trying to send out a message that they don't want something like this to happen again."
But, he added, "The message sent is you as a player can break curfew, break team rules, you can be disrespectful in a public place and you can do damage to property and nothing will happen to you. Your coach will be suspended."
MacDougall learned of the suspension on June 15 and immediately requested a hearing with the league.
He and Caps general manager Gabe Keough met with MJAHL president Derryl Smith, who had handed down the suspension.
"He already had his mind up before we met. That was frustrating."
The Caps then filed a formal appeal on MacDougall's behalf.
"At the eleventh hour the Summerside Western Capitals pulled that appeal," said MacDougall. "Now, I'm out there, an island onto myself here."
By letter, the league reprimanded a player neither it nor the team would name.
MacDougall said that player caused a disturbance where alcohol was involved at the resort's restaurant and later damaged a television.
"You put rules and structure in place and you expect people to follow them. When they don't it's very disappointing," he added. "But it's hard to swallow that I'm totally responsible for the actions of people that made conscious decisions to break rules."
MacDougall, who's sought legal representation, has written the league and Hockey P.E.I. seeking an appeal.
"The league is setting a dangerous precedent for guys who are going to get into trouble away from the rink that the coach is going to be held responsible for it. That's a pretty big responsibility for a coach. I don't know how many people are willing to take that on, to be responsible for guys 24-7," he added.
"I need to know what I did that was conduct unbecoming of the league. Players broke those rules. Grown, consenting adults made decisions to break those rules and I have to pay the price for them, which I find to be a little upsetting."

nmacphee@journalpioneer.com