A youth hockey tournament in New Jersey descended into chaos when a scuffle between players spiraled into a full-on brawl involving parents, leading to multiple assault charges and league suspensions.
AT A GLANCE
- Three adults charged after a street hockey tournament brawl in Egg Harbor Township, NJ
- Fight erupted after a scuffle between youth players and escalated when parents stormed the rink
- Police described the scene as “complete chaos,” with kids trying to break up the adults
- Both teams were suspended from the tournament; one coach was banned from the league
- The incident highlights worsening parental behavior in youth sports
From Hockey to Havoc in Seconds
A youth street hockey tournament turned into a chaotic melee in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, when overzealous parents stormed the rink following a minor skirmish between players. The event, held at Veterans Memorial Park on March 29, ended with three adults—Robert Schafer, Colleen Biddle, and Justin Pacheco—charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct.
Videos reviewed by police showed what began as competitive roughhousing between players on the Maple Shade Cadet and Philadelphia Frenzy Cadet teams quickly escalating when adults intervened—not to defuse tensions, but to join the fray. Children were reportedly seen trying to separate their own parents during the fight, an image that’s both jarring and telling of the adult immaturity on display.
Watch video footage of the tournament brawl.
“Complete Chaos”: Police Shocked by Adult Conduct
Egg Harbor Township Police Sergeant Ben Kollman didn’t hide his disbelief at what unfolded. “Never have we had the parents come out like this, and even in any hockey event, I’ve never seen parents running out and getting involved,” he said in remarks to CBS News.
Kollman described the scene as “complete chaos,” underscoring the surreal nature of kids attempting to restrain adults mid-fight. “It was sad to watch some of the video and see some of the kids trying to pull their parents off of other people,” he later told ABC News.
Authorities issued summonses after identifying aggressors via video evidence and interviews, separating those who genuinely tried to deescalate from those clearly seeking confrontation.
League Responds Swiftly with Suspensions
In the immediate aftermath, the American Ball Hockey Alliance (ABHA) suspended both teams from the tournament and banned the Maple Shade assistant coach from the league altogether. The league emphasized that this type of behavior is entirely at odds with the values of youth sports.
“This incident was instigated by out-of-town teams and, as such, does not reflect the values or behavior of the host facility, Egg Harbor Township Street Hockey,” said the ABHA in a statement reported by Fox News.
The ABHA reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward violence, noting that all participants—including spectators—must adhere to strict codes of conduct.
A Wider Problem in Youth Sports
This disturbing event highlights a growing problem: parents, not players, are increasingly the source of misconduct at youth sporting events. A 2023 study found that parents are responsible for nearly 40% of reported bad behavior in youth sports—far surpassing that of players themselves.
The pattern reflects a troubling shift in adult expectations and behavior, often rooted in living vicariously through their children’s athletic pursuits. These kinds of incidents are not only embarrassing but also damaging to the goals of youth athletics, which are supposed to teach sportsmanship, discipline, and emotional control.
Despite no reported serious injuries, the reputational harm to the league and the negative lessons imparted to the children involved are significant. Youth sports should be a place for growth and learning, not a battleground for ego-driven adults. Perhaps it’s time to consider stronger enforcement of parental codes of conduct—or even mandatory behavior training before stepping onto the sidelines.
