Thursday, November 7, 2002 Updated: November 9, 7:36 PM ET
Father sues team for not naming son MVP
Associated Press
TORONTO -- A Canadian father is suing the New Brunswick
Amateur Hockey Association after his 16-year-old son failed to win
the league's most valuable player award.
Michael Croteau is seeking about $200,000 in psychological and
punitive damages from the association. He also demands that the MVP
trophy be taken from the winner and given to his son, Steven.
Croteau told the Globe and Mail newspaper in a story published
Thursday that Steven was the New Brunswick Bantam AAA leading
scorer, which made him the most valuable player. He said the youth
was so crushed when another player won the award at a banquet in
March that he lost his desire to play.
The league's nine coaches or managers select the most valuable
player, and voting results are not disclosed.
Steven had a league-leading 45 goals and 42 assists in 27 games,
while the boy named most valuable player finished fourth in league
scoring with 21 goals and 39 assists.
"How do you justify that?'' Croteau said in the Globe and Mail.
"It's quite obvious he's the most valuable forward in the
league.''
Brian Whitehead, the New Brunswick Amateur Hockey Association
executive director, confirmed the lawsuit was filed but declined to
discuss details.
