Parents face charges after brawl at youth hockey tournament in New Jersey
- An altercation at a youth hockey game escalated into a physical brawl involving parents.
- Three parents were charged with assault and disorderly conduct after engaging in the fight.
- The incident has raised concerns about behavior at youth sporting events and led to multiple suspensions.
In early April 2025, a youth hockey tournament at Veterans Memorial Park in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, became the scene of an unprecedented brawl involving both players and parents. The chaos began when players from the Maple Shade Cadet A and Philadelphia Frenzy Cadet A teams got into a fight, prompting several parents to clear the stands and join in the fray. Police and onlookers reported that the situation escalated rapidly, with adults wrestling and exchanging punches, an event that took many by surprise due to the normally positive environment associated with youth sports. Egg Harbor Township Police quickly intervened, and an investigation was launched. The authorities identified three parents involved in the altercation: Colleen Biddle, 41, of Philadelphia; Robert Schafer, 38, of Maple Shade; and Justin Pacheco, 38, of Philadelphia. All three faced charges including simple assault and disorderly conduct. The police emphasized that such aggressive behavior was unprecedented in any local hockey events, indicating that the involvement of the parents was particularly shocking. In the aftermath, the American Ball Hockey Alliance issued a statement condemning the violence displayed by the adults, affirming that this conduct does not reflect the values of their sport. Officials reiterated that neither the teams nor their parents were from Egg Harbor Township, stressing the importance of maintaining a respectful and safe environment for youth athletes. Both teams involved in the incident were suspended from the tournament, with additional sanctions expected as the Alliance conducts further inquiries to assess the situation. Community reactions ranged from disappointment to calls for better conduct from parents during youth sporting events. Members of the community expressed their hope that behavior like this would not overshadow the benefits of youth sports and the critical lessons they teach. The incident cast a shadow over a competitive sport that typically encourages teamwork, sportsmanship, and cooperation among young players.