Nathan Kotylak

No one in amateur sport was more controversial this past year than Nathan Kotylak. For those who don't remember, Nathan was an up and coming Water Polo player who was photographed lighting a police car on fire in the riots after Vancouver's loss in game #7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

In confessing his actions to local authorities Nathan immediately created a fire storm in amateur sport circles, with many calling for a lifetime ban from sport. Adam Kreek - an Olympic Gold Medallist in the sport of rowing and now a sport activist posted a message on facebook questioning the rationale of a lifetime ban. The message lit up social networking sites with athletes former and current weighing in on the subject; some of who (including Nicole Forrester - an athlete rep) suggesting that athletes are ambassadors and should be held to a higher standard.

Perhaps, but Dany Heatley was convicted of vehicular manslaughter and both Hockey Canada nor the COC did anything about it. He would go on to win Olympic Gold for his country. Ditto for Todd Bertuzzi who is currently being charged for aggravated assault. How about Theo Fleury? There is Chris Pronger who has been found guilty of driving under the influence; He has 2 Olympic gold medals to his name. Craig Mctavish has not only played but coached for Canada despite pleading guilty to vehicular homicide.

So, why in August of 2011 did Water Polo Canada impose a 2 year competition ban on Nathan Kotylak for his actions in June? There is little doubt that the crime was serious and the man if guilty should be punished by the law, but why is Water Polo Canada taking action against the man? Hockey Canada did not, and it's athletes are much greater ambassadors than any Water Polo player that I know.