Is This Part Of Any Game?

Playing is one thing and coaching is another especially when you have to get the respect of the players, but when they don’t mix, something has to change.

John has played in the US, Germany, Britain and Canada for over 13 years, but moved back to the lower mainland to reside in Langley.

He graduated from D.W. Poppy in 1989 and simply put – loves the area of Langley.

When was the last time you ever heard of a coach getting a lengthy suspension from a hockey game?

John Craighead has been handed a six-year suspension from BC Hockey.

Craighead is the Coach/GM of the PJHL Langley Knights and was recently handed a long and stiff suspension for his actions during a game September 24^th, 2015 at the George Preston Arena in Langley.

Craighead confronted the Mission City Outlaws coach on the visitors’ bench during a game at the George Preston Recreation Centre in late September.

The confrontation occurred while an on-ice brawl was happening and Craighead said at the time he felt his players were in danger.

The on-ice incident sent several Langley players to hospital.

The suspension was announced in late January (Jan. 30) and will last until September 2021.

Craighead had been on an indefinite suspension from the league since the incident.

BC Hockey chief executive officer Barry Petrachenko stated “BC Hockey is about delivering a safe environment from our players, coaches, officials, parents, fans and administrators, which includes respect for opposing teams,” commented “This is a necessary step we are taking to ensure we send a clear message to participants that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.

Randy Henderson, the BC Hockey board chair stated “We expect our coaches to be leaders and empower players with on and off ice lessons that are inherent to hockey and life skills, including respect, teamwork, leadership and positivity.”

Henderson continued “This coach’s actions are contrary to everything BC Hockey wants members to gain from playing hockey.”

After the incident, Craighead had said he took full responsibility for his actions that night and that he had gone to the opposition’s bench for an explanation about why Mission’s older players were targeting the Knights’ youngest players.

Five Langley players and four Mission players were suspended while Mission Outlaws’ coach Brad Veitch was given a 10-game suspension.

Clearly not the type of game that the PJHL wants or needs considering the fact they are in the 50^th year of operation.