Not just tempests in teapots

The Cambridge dictionary defines “a tempest in a teapot” as being an idiom for a great uproar, anger, or worry about a trivial, unimportant matter. It describes an excessive, exaggerated reaction to a minor issue.

As we review the outcome of the Olympic hockey USA/Canada gold medal game and the subsequent actions of star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, there are certainly many reasons to comment. Everyone, it seems, has an opinion that screams to be heard. These opinions cover all the fields of interest.

Politically, our hockey hero raised our hackles by accepting praise and honours from U.S. President Trump, who is generally held in great contempt by the vast majority of Canadians and elsewhere. Ethically, Hellebuyck is being judged as being disloyal to the many thousands who have enthusiastically cheered him on ice and in the community he lives. Called into question is his commitment to the essence of that community and in a much larger sense all that is fundamentally Canada.

Financially, it could be argued that Hellebuyck was enhancing his personal stock value in the market place by aligning himself with Trump. Does it raise eyebrows to know that our prized goalie earned US$8.5 million in 2025 and currently holds a seven-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets for US$59.5 million? It begs the question “how much is enough?”

But why does it matter? Does the public really have a right to criticize Hellebuyck? Is it any of our business? Some may indeed say, after all, that it’s his life and he will suffer whatever consequences that may befall his perceived lack of forethought or foolish decisions. Others have a point when they remind us the outcry is our own fault for holding such high standards and elevating someone to hero worship. When our heroes fall, so do we! But the public disapproval does matter. Our collective disappointment matters. Condemnation of poor behaviour, especially by those in positions of influence, matters.

Yes, it is right and important to criticize shortcomings as we strive to set standards, as we struggle to maintain honour and principles that in turn elevate us and those who carve their way forward. In this age of the erosion of action for the common good, how else can community survive and thrive?

Not so long ago, we were taught to not judge others, yet when we stepped out of line we were quickly judged and given a mostly deserved consequence. We learned. We changed our behaviour and adapted our lives accordingly, for the common good.

When we see highly esteemed individuals ignoring well established rules and norms as has the majority of American lawmakers and most notably the president himself, we are justifiably shocked and disgusted. We hold ourselves and our country to higher standards. Why? Because it matters to our very survival! Left unchecked crime becomes the norm. Individualism becomes more important than the community. As go the communities, so goes the country.

To be clear, Hellebuyck committed no crime in ingratiating himself to Trump. What’s troubling, however, is appearing not to care about the message he was sending internationally. Public outrage for someone purposely aligning himself to a racist, misogynist wannabe dictator is understandable and merited.

This egregious behaviour needs to be called what it is so that it cannot be normalized in Canada as it is in the U.S.A.

This not a “tempest in a teapot” for this is not a trivial, unimportant matter. Our reactions are neither excessive nor exaggerated. It needs to become a tsunami of caring. Let our judgment focus on the action, not the individual, to underscore the importance of caring about values and community.

Let’s ask ourselves in the light of this experience how we would respond to that opportunity were it come to us personally. Would we choose to be a better example for those who care about us? Would we ignore our sense of propriety or succumb to less admirable urges?

Perhaps at the end of the day we must ask if we really care enough to do more than complain and are we willing to encourage everyone to do better? And perhaps we all need to look at the emerging separatist movement brewing in Alberta and focus our attention on what truly matters more.

While Hellebuyck can be allowed a measure of understanding, given that he was responding to his American identity, there is no justification for the treasonous intentions incubating in Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s party.

Smith’s close ties to radical right-wing Republicans and secessionist ideology are reason enough to ignore the teapot and focus on the despot! Canada’s fury needs to be heard if our democracy is to survive!

Tempests start small but can escape their teapots.

Romeo Lemieux writes from Winnipeg.