My husband and I have spent many hours traveling around to watch our three grandsons play youth hockey. As an educator, a mother of seven and a grandmother, I felt compelled to congratulate the coaching staff of their team and hope to encourage other coaching staffs to “pick up the puck” and do the same.

With a great season behind them, the kids were both instructed and disciplined (when necessary) on the rules and fairness of the game. What impressed us most was that, for the entire season, the kids were treated and coached with dignity and kindness – not something we saw (or heard) from some other teams.

Even when the scores were close (and that includes tournament play) the boys and girls were given equal ice time, regardless of their playing ability.

We never heard a demeaning or negative comment stemming from the box, but always saw a tap-on-the-helmet type of encouragement when the kids came in.

We have heard similar praise from other parents.

Kids having fun in sports – hurray for the Mite Yellow coaches.

Adele and Walter Cox, Sabattus