FARMINGTON, Minn. (KMSP) -
One Farmington family that has been at the center of a hockey hullabaloo in the small town is speaking out for the first time since a father and son were hit with suspensions -- and both say it was time to take a stand.
Austin Krause was suspended from school after flipping off his coaches during his final game as goalie for Farmington High School -- and his father, Nicholas Krause, is also facing a suspension from the Farmington Hockey Association.
The Krauses tell FOX 9 News Farmington's high school league and youth hockey association have longstanding issues with the coaches, ranging from favoritism to bullying -- even disregarding the rules.
Austin Krause's exit from the program went viral after he scored on the goal he spent so much time protecting and skated away to warm applause from his supporters.
"I know this was wrong, but I had to send a message," he said. "I couldn't wait any longer."
Krause said he knew his time on the ice was pretty much over after the coaches sat him in place of a sophomore. He said he asked when he would play again but was ignored by his coaches.
"I just felt like a ghost on the ice," he said. "Couches wouldn't even stand there and watch me perform."
Feeling dejected, the high school senior scored for Chaska, flipped his coaches the bird, saluted the crowd, and skated away.
"Am I proud that it happened this way? No," said Nicholas Krause. "Did it open a lot of people's eyes? Yes."
Nicholas Krause has been active in his children's sporting careers through the Farmington Youth Association, but he's since been banned from all events after a verbal altercation with a coach about how his 10-year-old daughter was treated on the ice.
"I stood up for my daughter," he said. "I gave the coach the same treatment he gave my daughter."
Now, Nicholas Krause plans to keep fighting the ban. He's already managed to get his son's suspension reduced from 10 to five days.
As for Austin Krause, he said he plans to join the Marines once he graduates in June because he hopes to follow his grandfather's footsteps.
