Hockey goalie's contract terminated unfairly due to wife's pregnancy
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Stefan Steen, a veteran goalie with international experience, had his contract with the Dundee Stars terminated just days before he was set to move to Scotland, due to his family's upcoming addition.
In a shocking move, the Dundee Stars decided to cancel Stefan Steen's contract upon learning that his wife, Emma, was pregnant. While many teams might view a player's growing family as a cause for celebration, the Stars worried about having "too many players with upcoming family commitments," leading to the unexpected decision.
After spending three seasons with the Vienna Capitals, Steen had been looking forward to a new opportunity in the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). The Stars' coach and sporting director, Marc LeFebvre, reached out in July, just as Steen was planning to wait until after his baby was born to make his next career move. Unfortunately, plans shifted dramatically on July 28 when the team decided to prioritize their concerns about family obligations over keeping Steen on their roster.
According to Michael Latschenberger, Steen's agent, the team was aware of his wife's pregnancy and had no issue with it. However, a call from Stars' owner Steve Ward changed everything.
Latschenberger contends that the club had no legitimate grounds for terminating the contract and seeks compensation for Stefan Steen, including the nearly $5,000 USD spent on new equipment. Stefan emphasized he wants to ensure this doesn't happen to others.
"If they had just done the right thing, I could have thought about just drawing a line under it. But when it's like this against me, you wonder how they treated other players. Everything was turned upside down. In a couple of days, everything disappeared."
The EIHL is known for its unique atmosphere, where players often share apartments and even cars to manage costs. Despite its smaller size compared to other European leagues, its community-focused nature has attracted players like Steen. However, this charm doesn't always come without complications, as Steen's experience illustrates.
Though disappointed, Steen has accepted the situation and decided to move into coaching. He views this turn of events as a life lesson and hopes to inspire other players facing similar challenges. "Family comes first for Steen, no matter what," highlighting the importance of adapting when obstacles arise in life.
| POLL | ||
11 SEPTEMBRE | 79 ANSWERS Hockey goalie's contract terminated unfairly due to wife's pregnancy Were the Dundee Stars wrong to cut ties with Stefan Steen over his wife's pregnancy? | ||
| Yes | 59 | 74.7 % |
| No | 20 | 25.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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