Two couples are suing the Greater Toronto Hockey League, the Avalanche Minor Sports Club, two coaches and two managers after their sons were cut from the team during tryouts.
Citing “irreparable psychological damage” and a “demoralized” son, fathers Vito Valela and David Longo filed two separate claims of $25,000 each against the GTHL, Avalanche president Anthony Iantorno and team officials Doriano Pistarelli, Andy Vandenberk, Felice Guglielmi and Peter Posca.
"Personally I think it's a very sad commentary. Is it a case of parents getting too involved emotionally? Kids get cut," said GTHL president John Gardner.
Christopher Valela and Daniel Longo, both 15, played with the Avalanche during the 2009-2010 season, but were not among the 17 players who made the team in April. More than 70 tried out.
The parents say they don’t respect the authority of coaches Guglielmi and Posca, whom the GTHL suspended until May for tampering.
The league claims neither family filed a grievance with the GTHL, the usual process for dealing with such matters.