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CNN Live Saturday

Was 'Rink Rage' Trial an Isolated Incident?

Aired January 12, 2002 - 20:34   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: A Massachusetts jury convicted hockey dad, Thomas Junta, of involuntary manslaughter this week. One juror said his peers believe that Junta let his rage get the better of him. So was this an isolated incident? Or is there more sideline violence on the way? CNN's Brian Palmer has this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN PALMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Face off between the Flyers and the Capitals. Six- to 8-year-olds at the West Chester New York Metro League who already skate like (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

Kids coached and supported by adults. Many of whom are talking about what happened in a Massachusetts courtroom to another hockey parent, Thomas Junta, convicted of involuntary manslaughter after killing a fellow hockey dad during an argument.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it was an isolated incident.

PALMER: Kevin Hagen is a coach and a hockey dad.

KEVIN HAGEN, YOUTH HOCKEY COACH FATHER: Somebody died because of it. Now somebody has to be held, you know, liable. But it's just I think -- I think, generally, parents are getting too involved. And as a coach and a parent, I can see some of the parents are taking it a little too seriously at times.

DR. ERIC MARGENAU, SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST: Because the average parent who reads about this or hears about it or sees about it is going to deny that it has any applicability to themselves. "Oh, that's not me." You know, "I don't do that." You know. Or, "Or even if I do, I would certainly never take it to that level."

PALMER: Parents say that because hockey is such a rough contact sport, it raises the stakes and the risks. Changing the behavior of all the parents who may be prone to violence just isn't possible. But changing organizations and leagues is.

(on camera): Parents and coaches agree it's important to have strict rules governing the kids' behavior on the ice and the parents' behavior in the stands. But rules are only as good as the enforcement. Eileen Theiss coaches the Flyers.

EILEEN THEISS, YOUTH HOCKEY COACH MOTHER: When you have a parent getting crazy, you have to find a way of showing them what they're doing and that they shouldn't be acting that way in front of the kids, and to remove them if you have to.

PALMER (voice-over): Tough rules, strict enforcement, plus the presence of understanding parents and coaches can help preserve youth hockey for the youth.

Brian Palmer, CNN, Elmsford, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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