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Miller Donnelly's Magic Hockey Helmet Speech Becomes YouTube Hit
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by Jon Azpiri | January 28, 2009 at 03:44 pm
9886 views | 15 Recommendations | 10 comments
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Nine-year-old Miller Donnelly of Sudbury, Ontario, has garnered attention for a YouTube video of him giving a speech about overzealous hockey parents.
Donnelly originally wrote the speech as part of a school project, but a video of him rehearsing the speech was posted on YouTube and has garnered more than 85,000 hits. Various youth hockey associations have posted the speech on their sites. The Magic Hockey Helmet video was also played on the Jumbotron at a Sudbury Wolves minor league hockey game, where it received a standing ovation.
In his videotaped speech, Miller stands in front of a fireplace in his family's home. He describes his hockey helmet as being "magic" in a negative way. He says before he puts it on, parents treat him nicely — but as soon as he's wearing it on the ice, they start yelling mean things.
"The message is very sincere, and it didn't come out of the sky. Obviously, he's been exposed to [yelling]. When he puts on his helmet, he's treated differently, so he thought to himself, 'Why is this?' I give him credit," said Ron Didone, treasurer and coach with the Copper Cliff Minor Hockey Association.
Donnelly's father says the video has had an impact on local hockey parents.
"If John Doe is a parent on team yelling at his kid, it makes it more comfy to say, 'John — magic helmet," and then John Doe realizes he shouldn't be doing that," Mike said.
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Jon Azpiri
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (10)
at 16:33 on January 29th, 2009
Well said young man! Your spirit is really what hockey and sport should be about!
at 19:30 on January 29th, 2009
Miller,
You are a wise young man and very mature beyond your years, as a fellow Canadian and a hockey fan I commend you and wish you all the best. Do the world and hockey a great service, KEEP PLAYING BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY KEEP BEING YOU
Kathy
at 15:58 on February 1st, 2009
Miller,
I hope every hockey parent sees your video. It's a much needed wake-up call for everyone!
Thank you!
at 16:38 on February 11th, 2009
Hi Miller,
I've been around hockey as a player and coach for over 42 years and I've never heard anyone say what needed to be said better than you did here. Your approach was fantastic and the message rings through loud and clear. Good for you, keep it up and have fun playing hockey.
P.S. - If you don't make a career out of playing hockey, you might want to consider acting. Your video was very good!
Roger C.
Dieppe, N.B.
at 08:11 on February 19th, 2009
Future Commisioner of the NHL!
at 15:27 on February 26th, 2009
if you where french you would be a descrace to your comunity beacaus us french know wat hockey is and you dont. make sense in your life and please learn what hockey is about and your parents would not be screaming at you if you listen to them. Nobody got killed becaus of your helmet. And that is not canadian of you.
at 04:34 on March 16th, 2009
The French guy should learn how to spell before he starts criticizing a nine year old.
at 11:47 on March 21st, 2009
I'm french. I've played hockey for 15 years. I've been on a team with parents who would get into fights...I even played on a team that had brothers as coaches, and one game they fought on the bench and both left..
That is not the effect hockey, or any sport for that manner, should have on people. There's coaching/ helping, then there's yelling.
Let this forum know where you work, and we'll all go yell at you while you work...see how you like it.
Good Job Miller, that was amazing.
at 08:16 on March 26th, 2009
I am a hockey parent and seeing this video REALLY made me think about how I am in the stands watching my son. Let's just say I have changed & I thank you for this. Great job I think every parent of a child in ANY sport should see this.
Keep it up and again Thank you!
at 13:10 on April 7th, 2009
Very well thought out!!! I too am a hockey parent to a 10 year old and this video has made me think about the way I react to the game. I too now, will think twice about ever giving my opinion LOUDLY.
I will try my very best to have this video watched by all the hockey players and their families in the GTHL.
You are a very very bright boy! Thank-you for this inspirational lesson.