Although there have been some alarming instances of parents behaving badly in hockey rinks over the past year, Calgary Flames President of Hockey Operations and anti-bullying advocate Brian Burke says while there’s been some ugly moments, they represent a very small fraction of fans.

Recent incidents include a Vancouver hockey association banning eight parents from watching their kids play because of abusive behaviour and this season, Hockey Winnipeg reintroduced the policy of police officers stopping into games after some serious incidents resulted in criminal charges last season.

Last month, a video of a Pennsylvania hockey dad went viral after he smashed the glass while arguing with officials.

Despite these ugly scenes, Burke said we shouldn’t exaggerate.

“You’re talking about maybe one per cent of the hockey parents and I think that has to be said over and over and over and over and over and over again,” he said, adding parents should be commended for the numerous sacrifices they make in developing young hockey talent.

“We draft kids in the NHL, we say congratulations to the kid, but then we thank the parents,” he said.

“Let’s thank all the Canadian parents who do it the right way and get their kids to and from hockey and invest in hockey.”

However, Burke said when it does come to those parents who go too far, minor hockey associations should take whatever sanctions necessary against them to ensure safe and enjoyable environments, especially for young players.

“Most of those kids are never going to play in the National Hockey League, so I don’t know why these parents are screaming at them anyway,” he said, adding he’s seen enough parents being too hard on their children.

“They should be looking forward to getting on the ice and going to the rink, instead they dread it.”

When Burke himself was playing hockey, his father Bill had a rule that they didn’t have to discuss a game afterwards until Brian was ready to speak.

“I never dreaded getting in the car and I see some of these kids on their way to the car and the dad’s already started on them,” he said.

Burke also said when it comes to referees, they are a team on the ice just like the players and must also be supported.

“I think it’s crazy,” he said discussing some of the yelling that officials have to endure and recalled when he coached his son Patrick.

“I never yelled at an official once, I never yelled at a player once, it was a rule we had and this was back in 1993 so again, not new,” he said.

“The officials, they’re a vital part of our game and the minor hockey associations have to make sure that they’re protected against certainly physical abuse, but verbal abuse as well.”