⏱ 4 min read · 🛡️ Rink Risk · March 2026
A coaching huddle. Standard instruction. And yet in 2026, a routine practice collision can become a criminal proceeding in 15 days. Photo: Unsplash
The Short Version
On January 15, 2026, a Colorado youth hockey coach named Andrew Sherman collided with a 13-year-old player during a routine practice drill at Monument Ice Rinks. The kid reportedly broke his arm. On January 30, police obtained a felony child abuse arrest warrant. Sherman is 55 years old and founded the Colorado Rampage hockey club. His supporters are calling it a "terrifying precedent for youth sports across the country." They might be right.
CBS News Colorado broke the story — watch their report before the full breakdown below.
CBS News Colorado reporting on the arrest warrant for Andrew Sherman. Via CBS News Colorado / YouTube.
What Happened at the Rink
January 15, 2026. Colorado Rampage (also known as Monument Rebels) practice at Monument Ice Rinks in Monument, Colorado. Andrew Sherman, 55, is on the ice coaching a drill. Video from multiple rink cameras captured what happened next.
Sherman and a 13-year-old player collided near a blue line. According to CBS News Colorado, Sherman appeared to be looking in the opposite direction at the time of impact. The teenager went down hard. The player reportedly suffered a broken arm.
What happened next is where this gets complicated: a parent filed a complaint with Monument Police. Investigators reviewed the video. In the arrest affidavit, a police investigator wrote that Sherman "clearly extends his left foot and slides it forward, causing him to fall backward."
On January 30 — 15 days after the incident — police obtained a felony child abuse arrest warrant. Andrew Sherman turned himself in. He posted a $10,000 bond.
The "Terrifying Precedent" Argument
Sherman's supporters didn't stay quiet. Tyler Shipstad, CEO of Colorado Rampage Hockey, told CBS News: "There was no intentional act. To criminally charge a youth hockey coach with child abuse under these circumstances sets a terrifying precedent for youth sports across the country."
Katy Jo West, a veteran power skating coach based in Minnesota who reviewed all available video, told CBS: "It was really hard for me to fathom that anything malicious was happening. From my perspective, it looks accidental." She said it appeared Sherman never saw the player before impact.
Sherman's attorney said the video shows "incidental contact consistent with the normal flow of hockey" — not a crime.
The El Paso County District Attorney's office told CBS the case was "under review" as of mid-February, with no decision yet on formal filing.
Why This Matters to Every Rink Operator
Whether Andrew Sherman is guilty or innocent will be decided by the courts. That's not our call. But the structure of this case — a physical collision during a standard practice drill, treated as a potential felony — is something every rink that hosts youth programs should take seriously.
A few questions worth asking your staff and your legal counsel:
- Do your coaches have documented conduct policies about physical contact during practice?
- Are your rink cameras positioned to capture drill areas, not just the boards?
- Do your waivers address coach-player contact during drills, or only player-player contact?
- Does your general liability policy cover defense costs if a coach is charged criminally following an on-ice incident?
- Do your coaches carry personal liability coverage? Most don't.
The Colorado Rampage suspended Sherman pending review. Review your own rink's coach conduct documentation before you need to. Photo: Unsplash
The Criminalization of Sports Accidents — A Trend Worth Watching
This isn't an isolated case. Over the past decade, there's been a slow but steady trend of sports-related incidents — particularly those involving youth athletes and adult coaches — being escalated from civil liability matters to criminal proceedings. The standard for "recklessness" is getting lower. The willingness of law enforcement to act is getting higher.
Ice rinks are unusual environments for this conversation because collisions are inherent to the sport. But the Sherman case makes one thing clear: "it was an accident" may not be enough anymore.
🛡️ Three Questions for Your Broker — Before Next Season
- If one of our coaches is named in a criminal complaint following an on-ice incident, does our policy cover their legal defense?
- Does our general liability coverage extend to coach-player contact during instruction and drills?
- Should our coaches carry personal liability riders — and what would that cost?
Bottom Line
Andrew Sherman's case may be resolved in his favor. Or it may not be. Either way, the message for rink operators is the same: in 2026, a standard practice drill can turn into a criminal proceeding in 15 days. Your documentation, your cameras, your insurance policies, and your coach conduct guidelines need to be airtight before you need them.
Sources:
- CBS News Colorado: Colorado youth hockey coach facing child abuse charge (Feb 16, 2026)
- KKTV: Affidavit details youth hockey collision (Feb 18, 2026)
- Athletic Business: "Terrifying Precedent" (2026)
Note: As of publication, the El Paso County DA's office had not made a formal filing decision. This article does not constitute legal advice.
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