I’ll not play again said by New England hockey young player who has been abused by their coach…

I’ll not play again said by New England hockey young player who has been abused by their coach…

Boston, MA — In a heartbreaking revelation that has rocked the youth sports world, a teenage player from a New England hockey development team has come forward with allegations of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of a coach, stating that the trauma has left them unable to ever return to the sport they once loved.

The 15-year-old, whose identity is being withheld for safety and privacy reasons, gave a powerful and emotional account to investigators and local media, claiming repeated abuse over the course of the 2023–2024 season while playing for a prominent youth hockey team based in Massachusetts.

“I used to live for the game,” the teen said in a written statement released through their legal representative. “But after what I went through, I’ll never play again. Hockey was my everything. Now, it’s my nightmare.”

Allegations of Abuse

According to official reports and statements provided by the family’s attorney, the abuse allegedly included:

• Verbal threats and intimidation, often in front of teammates.
• Excessive punishment drills that resulted in injuries.
• Intentional benching and isolation from team activities as a form of control.
• Psychological manipulation, including name-calling, body shaming, and public humiliation.

The coach, identified as Michael “Mick” Lawson (44), a longtime figure in New England youth hockey, is now under investigation by local law enforcement and has been suspended indefinitely by the New England Youth Hockey League (NEYHL) pending the outcome.

The family has also filed a civil lawsuit against Lawson and the hockey organization, citing negligence, emotional distress, and a failure to protect their child from prolonged harm.

“This is not just about bad coaching,” said Attorney Rachel Mendes, representing the family. “This is about systemic failure—by a coach who abused his power and by a league that allowed it to happen.”

A Pattern of Concern?

Since the story broke, four additional former players and parents have come forward with similar allegations against Lawson, claiming a pattern of misconduct that dates back several seasons.

One former player, now 18, described how Lawson would scream at players for minor mistakes, often targeting specific kids and threatening to “end their careers.” Another recalled Lawson making players skate suicides until one vomited, allegedly refusing to allow a water break as punishment.

Parents say they raised concerns in the past, but were either ignored or discouraged from causing “trouble” that might affect their child’s playing time or team status.

“This man was treated like a king,” one mother said. “And we were afraid. Afraid that if we said something, our kids would pay the price.”

League Response

The New England Youth Hockey League issued a formal statement acknowledging the investigation and expressing support for the player who came forward.

“We take all allegations of abuse and misconduct seriously. The safety and well-being of our players is our top priority. Effective immediately, Coach Lawson has been suspended from all coaching activities until a thorough investigation is complete.”

The league also announced the formation of a special independent review panel to assess its policies regarding player safety, coach conduct, and complaint handling.

However, critics argue the action is too little, too late.

“This is not the first time concerns have been raised,” said Tom Andrews, a youth sports reform advocate. “The culture of silence, fear, and unchecked power in competitive youth leagues is exactly what allows abusers to thrive.”

The Emotional Toll

The impact on the teen at the center of the case has been profound. Once a top scorer with aspirations to play at the collegiate level, the player has since withdrawn from all competitive activities, stopped attending school temporarily, and is now in therapy for symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.

The family says their once-joyful child has become withdrawn and fearful, suffering nightmares and panic attacks.

“We trusted them with our child,” said the player’s father. “And they broke them.”

Mental health professionals say this case underscores a broader, unspoken crisis in youth sports.

“We’re seeing more and more young athletes suffering long-term emotional trauma due to coaching abuse,” said Dr. Emily Reyes, a licensed child psychologist who specializes in sports trauma. “It’s not just the physical exhaustion—it’s the emotional betrayal that leaves the deepest scars.”

A Call for Change

The case has reignited debate across New England and beyond over accountability in youth sports, with many parents and advocacy groups calling for sweeping reform, including:

• Mandatory background checks and abuse-prevention training for all coaches.
• Anonymous, third-party reporting systems for misconduct.
• Mental health resources embedded into athletic programs.
• Clear limits on physical punishment in training environments.

State lawmakers, including Massachusetts Senator Claire Walton, have already called for a statewide investigation into youth sports governance.

“This child’s voice cannot be in vain,” Walton said. “We must create a culture where our young athletes are safe, heard, and valued—not broken down and discarded.”

Support and Solidarity

As the story continues to gain national attention, support has flooded in for the young player. Several former professional athletes and current college players have shared messages of encouragement online using the hashtag #StandWithThePlayer.

“We see you. We believe you. And we’re with you,” wrote a post from the Boston Pride, a professional women’s hockey team. “No game is more important than your safety.”

A local GoFundMe campaign started to cover therapy and legal costs for the family surpassed $25,000 in just two days.

Moving Forward

For now, the player and their family are focused on healing—but hope their story inspires others to speak up.

“I don’t want this to happen to anyone else,” the teen wrote in their statement. “Hockey used to make me feel alive. Now, I’m just trying to feel safe again.”

The case remains under active investigation, with interviews being conducted by both law enforcement and the NEYHL’s newly appointed review board. Meanwhile, many in the youth hockey world are beginning to ask difficult questions about how the system failed—and what must be done to ensure it never happens again.