Canada’s junior hockey team, the Vancouver Giants, faced a hefty financial hit due to comments made by an 85-year-old scout during the league’s recent draft. The issue arose when the scout reportedly complimented the appearance of a woman working at the event, saying she looked “good.”
It’s a bit surprising, really. In 2026, you’d think people would have a clearer understanding of professional boundaries, but here we are.
So, this scout, Terry Bonner, was participating in discussions about the draft when he decided to mention the woman at the desk. “Well, thank you very much,” he remarked, “You’re a nice girl.” You can imagine the awkwardness that followed—at least, I can.
Now, I get it—sometimes older generations don’t quite grasp today’s social expectations. It’s tempting to just roll your eyes and move on. But on the other hand, was this really the right way to handle it?
Sure, it’s a little outdated to say something like that, but there’s also a part of me that feels we should perhaps exercise a bit of patience. It’s important to educate rather than just punish—a gentle reminder might’ve sufficed. Something like, “Hey, Terry, it’s not okay to comment on a woman’s looks anymore, even if you mean well.”
Nevertheless, the league’s response was swift, issuing a fine of $5,000 for conduct deemed harmful to its values. WHL Commissioner Dan Near emphasized the league’s commitment to accountability, insisting that such remarks don’t align with their standards for respect and inclusion.
But honestly, this can feel a little excessive. It’s almost like knee-jerk reactions are taking the place of thoughtful discussions.
It seems one lesson is clear: if you have an elderly scout making an appearance on a livestream, maybe it’s worth ensuring they understand contemporary norms and, oh, the concept of livestreaming itself.
