A Friday night ice hockey game between the Nijmegen Devils and the Red Eagles Den Bosch descended into chaos when a brawl broke out among 50 fans at the Triavium ice rink in Nijmegen. It was the latest serious incident in a surprising trend in Dutch ice hockey that already raised alarm bells in October when governing body IJshockey Nederland issued a stern warning to its 18 member clubs, as reported by het Parool.
The game in Nijmegen drew a crowd of about 800. Security personnel and stewards attempting to defuse the situation sustained injuries, with two requiring hospitalization, according to police reports. A police spokesperson confirmed that the cause of the initial altercation remains unclear. “It became increasingly chaotic when people were asked to leave the venue,” the spokesperson said.
The violence spilled outside the rink after the game. Police intervened with batons and forcibly cleared the square outside the arena. Two individuals were arrested for insulting officers and incitement. Authorities noted that some involved were reportedly fans of the local soccer club NEC Nijmegen.
The turmoil in Nijmegen reflects a broader problem within Dutch ice hockey. IJshockey Nederland has cited a disturbing rise in violent behavior across senior leagues as the reason for issuing a stern warning to its clubs. The organization highlighted a pattern of physical fights, verbal abuse, and even threats directed at officials and players, both on and off the ice.
“The season has just started, and already we are seeing an alarming increase in unacceptable behavior,” IJshockey Nederland Director Theo van Gerwen wrote in a letter to clubs. “These incidents contradict the values we want to promote in our sport.” Van Gerwen described the time-consuming nature of managing recurring incidents, revealing that he and his staff spend up to 20 hours weekly addressing violent episodes with clubs and liaising with prosecutors.
Van Gerwen linked the rise in aggressive behavior to broader societal trends. “We are seeing a coarsening in society, and that mirrors itself in our games,” he said. The governing body has urged clubs to host awareness sessions and foster a culture of respect.
Former Dutch record-holder Ron Berteling noted that violence has long been ingrained in ice hockey culture but emphasized that the lower leagues have seen an intensification of such behaviors. “It’s as if some of these recreational teams think they are playing in the Champions League final,” he said. Berteling urged clubs to take responsibility for educating players about sportsmanship, adding, “Beautiful memories in this sport come from camaraderie, not focusing on winning at all costs.”
Van Gerwen echoed these sentiments, urging clubs to adopt internal sanctions for unruly players and promote dialogue over punishment. While referees have been instructed to crack down on fights by issuing automatic suspensions, Van Gerwen suggested that stronger player engagement might yield better results.
Amsterdam Tigers, one of the country’s largest ice hockey clubs, has taken a proactive approach, imposing additional penalties on players guilty of misconduct. However, Berteling and others warn that completely eradicating violence from such a physically demanding sport may prove unrealistic.
The implications of unchecked violence extend beyond the rink. Van Gerwen expressed concern about the potential impact on recruitment and retention in a sport already grappling with limited participation. “If verbal abuse and physical confrontations dominate, we risk losing players and referees,” he said. The federation has already banned body-checking in lower divisions to minimize injuries, citing disparities in skill levels among players as a safety risk.
The stakes are high, Van Gerwen added, noting that players often have commitments outside the sport. “No one wants to show up at work on Monday with a black eye or a broken nose,” he said.
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