Former 1st-Round Draft Pick Shares The Mistreatment He Faced Playing in San Jose
In recent years we've heard more and more stories come from junior and lower-tier professional leagues regarding abuse players have faced while playing. It's truly one of the darkest parts of the sport we all love, and it seems like a fundamental flaw in the culture of the game.
Kaut Reveals All
Former Colorado Avalanche 1st-round draft pick Matin Kaut met up with Czech reporter Robert Rampa to discuss his time in San Jose following this year's trade deadline. The stories he revealed were quite saddening and really goes to show what some players are forced to endure.
'One of the coaches used to pick an opponent for me before every game, and I was supposed to fight with them. I remember once he pointed at Adam Klapka. Oh man, that guy weighs a hundred kilos, he's two meters tall, and I'm supposed to take him on? And a Czech player too? No way.'
What did the coach say when you refused?
'He said that's why I'm not playing in the NHL. I had three concussions and injured my shoulder twice. If I fought with the guys he picked for me, I would have gotten hurt even more. He still forced me into fights, and it really bothered me. I believe in fighting for a good reason, not just for the sake of it! When the game gets intense or when you defend your teammates, it's a different story. But fighting someone just because? I'm supposed to be on the ice to score goals.'"
Kaut was likely referring to John McCarthy, the San Jose Barracuda's Head Coach when he mentioned being forced to fight. This is a truly terrible look on McCarthy, and we wouldn't be surprised if the Sharks investigated him after these claims.
Low Pay?
Rampa also revealed that Kaut was offered around $100,000 to play for the Barracuda again this season, which is a large amount of money for most people, but pennies in professional hockey.
Most people would be over the moon to receive an offer for $100,000, so it might seem like Kaut is spoiled. We think he's simply sticking up for himself, and didn't want to take such a small amount of money to keep getting hurt.
The AHL needs a serious culture change, and we hope Kaut's story can help spark that change.
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| POLL | ||
JUILLET 17 | 145 ANSWERS Former 1st-Round Draft Pick Shares The Mistreatment He Faced Playing in San Jose Is Kaut right in his complaints? | ||
| Yes | 97 | 66.9 % |
| No | 48 | 33.1 % |
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| Panthers | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 | |
| Sabres | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 | |
| Maple Leafs | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 | |
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| Penguins | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 18 | |
| Devils | 11 | 8 | 3 | - | 16 | |
| Hurricanes | 10 | 7 | 3 | - | 14 | |
| Flyers | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 13 | |
| Blue Jackets | 10 | 6 | 4 | - | 12 | |
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| Rangers | 12 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 12 | |
| Islanders | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 12 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 18 | |
| Jets | 11 | 8 | 3 | - | 16 | |
| Mammoth | 11 | 8 | 3 | - | 16 | |
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