Conflicted Scars

'An indispensable guide to parents of hockey hopefuls At a time of great change in hockey, Justin Davis exposes the dark underbelly of the journey from the minors to the big leagues Hockey culture: it s a commonly used phrase inside the game, glorifying sacrifice, toughness, loyalty, and a sense of identity. Justin Davis viewed this culture as something he was lucky enough to experience. After all, he d won a Memorial Cup after leading the tournament in scoring, and he d been drafted by the Washington Capitals. In my mind, he says, I was the normal one. Unfortunately, after stepping outside the game, he began to recognize the racism, sexual abuse and bullying that was so deeply ingrained in the sport. And then, as his own children grew into teenagers, the curtain was pulled back, the memories came rushing forward, and he was horrified: Why was I naked in a bus bathroom for four hours with seven teammates? What happened to my brain, and why can t