A season-long case study examining alcohol use and misuse in Canadian junior hockey

Abstract

In Canada, hockey is part of the country’s history, culture and identity, but its practice is also linked with high rates of alcohol consumption. The purpose of the present study was to conduct a season-long case study examining alcohol use and misuse in Canadian junior hockey. Data were collected throughout the 2015–2016 season through extensive observations of a junior-level team as well as semi-structured interviews conducted at three time points (i.e. beginning, middle and end of season) with five team members (i.e. two coaches and three players). The findings showed how for the participants, socialisation to alcohol within hockey began at a very young age and the physical environment (e.g. the sale of alcohol in arenas) facilitated consumption. The findings also revealed how alcohol consumption was inherently planned within hockey-related events (e.g. out-of-town tournament), sometimes superseding hockey itself. Throughout the season, the team context represented a prime setting where players were prone to exhibit childish, health compromising and illegal behaviours while under the influence of alcohol.

Keywords:

• Alcohol
• excessive consumption
• non-drinking
• socialisation
• hegemonic masculinity