Former NHLer Bryce Salvador upset after incident while coaching youth hockey game

Bryce Salvador hasn't played in the NHL since 2015, but the former defenceman remains active in the hockey community serving as an analyst for Devils on MSG, as well as a youth hockey coach. Salvador isn't happy after an experience while coaching on Sunday that led him to questions what is wrong with youth hockey culture.

Salvador posted a lengthy message on his Twitter account saying one of his 12-year-old players went down hard in the final minute of a semi-final game which his team was winning 4-1. He said he called an ambulance while the young boy lay motionless on the ice. He then decided to forfeit the final over concern for his player and "the traumatic toll weighing on my 12-year players about the health of their teammate."

"What happened next is unbelievable," said Salvador. "The coach of the team that we were scheduled to play in the finals couldn't believe that we were not going to play the final game because I felt it was unethical to put 12 [year-olds] back on the ice again that day."

"He insisted that we still have enough players to play." he continued. "'What, you are just going leave?' YES! I need to see how the player is doing! Where is empathy anymore?"

Salvador finished with a plea to the hockey community.

"Families in the hockey community, please, please. Playing a game when the kids are only 12 & their mental-emotional health is not good IS DANGEROUS and RECKLESS. They are not professional hockey players," said Salvador.

"I end this as I started, what is wrong with our youth hockey culture?"

Salvador also said signs are positive for the injured 12-year-old, and he's grateful for that. Salvador played close to 800 regular season games in the NHL, as well as another 74 in the playoffs.

I ultimately called off the game as we waited until the ambulance came. (we were winning 4-1 with a 1min left in the semi-final game)

With the traumatic toll weighing on my 12-year players about the health of their teammate, I then decided we would forfeit the final game.— Bryce Salvador (@BryceSalvador) October 31, 2021

He insisted that we still have enough players to play... "...what, you are just going leave?"

YES! I need to see how the player is doing! Where is empathy anymore?— Bryce Salvador (@BryceSalvador) October 31, 2021

Families in the hockey community, please, please...

Playing a game when the kids are only 12 & their mental-emotion health is not good IS DANGEROUS and RECKLESS. They are not professional hockey players.

I end this as I started, what is wrong with our youth hockey culture?— Bryce Salvador (@BryceSalvador) October 31, 2021

Thank you for all the concern.

I don't want to discuss his personal situation in detail. But, all signs are looking extremely positive for a full recovery! 🙏🏽— Bryce Salvador (@BryceSalvador) October 31, 2021

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