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Referee Attacked at Pittsburgh Ice Arena After Penalty Call
The Valley News Dispatch reported that a referee in a men’s league game at Pittsburgh Ice Center was physically attacked by a player on the ice. The referee, Mario de Leon, had just called a holding penalty when he was reportedly punched by Jeremy Gregory Gilbert. Gilbert is also alleged to have driven de Leon’s…
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NJ Governor Murphy issued an Executive Order Allowing Hockey with No Spectators
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued an Executive Order today allowing indoor ice hockey to resume with no spectators. This is Executive Order Number 187. According to the press release: “All indoor practices and competitions are limited to 25% of the capacity of the room, but not more than 25 or less than 10 persons. However,…
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Temporary Closure Kent State Ice Arena Has Huge Impact on Amateur Hockey
News 5 Cleveland reported Sunday that Kent State University Ice Arena was closed on September 25 until further notice, leaving area youth and amateur hockey without a place to practice. The cause of this closure is the spread of COVID-19 on Kent State’s campus. The University statement read in part: “Due to ongoing efforts to…
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Hundreds of Youth Hockey Players in Maine and NH Forced to Quarantine After Referee’s Positive COVID-19 Case
The Portland Press-Herald reported Thursday that 400 people in Maine and New Hampshire have been quarantined as a result of a positive COVID-19 test on a referee who officiated 8 youth hockey games in two days on October 3 and 4. According to the article, “The games were played on Saturday and Sunday at the…
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USPHL Weekend Series in Marietta Georgia Called a “Super-spreader” COVID-19 Event
The Charlotte News & Observer reported on October 3 that the Junior Hurricanes USPHL Premier and Elite Teams traveled to Marietta, played the Atlanta Mad Hatters, and dozens of players from both teams tested positive for COVID-19 shortly thereafter. The series took place at Atlanta Ice House in Marietta, approximately 24 miles northwest of Downtown…
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UBS Arena on Long Island Topped Off; Opening Set for Fall 2021
WABC Television News reported Friday that the owners of UBS Arena held a “topping off” ceremony. The girder positioned at the highest point in the building was signed, raised into position, and permanently integrated into the building. According to the article, “Governor Andrew Cuomo joined Empire State Development Board Chair Steven Cohen, Acting Commissioner Eric…
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NJ Assemblymen Urge Governor Murphy to Let Hockey Play
CentralJersey.com reports Assemblymen Ron Dancer (R-Burlington, Monmouth, Middlesex, Ocean) and Kevin J. Rooney (R-Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic) are calling on New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to Let Hockey Play and allow athletes to return to ice rinks. Assemblyman Dancer said, “Ice hockey officials have consulted with medical professionals to design a safe return to the…
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Jim Rogers, Owner of Three Arenas in Arizona, Passed Away at Age 55
ABC 15 Arizona reported Jim Rogers, owner of AZ Ice Rinks’ three indoor arenas in Arizona, passed away at age 55 on Wednesday. Relatives said that he died of natural causes, although he died while at one of his hockey facilities. Phoenix police are reportedly investigating. Rogers reportedly owned AZ Rinks Arcadia, Peoria, and Gilbert…
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PA Governor Wolf Lifts Gathering Limits on Indoor and Outdoor Venues, Apparently Clearing the Way for Hockey
The Tribune-Review reports Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf increased state-wide gathering-size limits tied to indoor and outdoor venue sizes. This announcement would seem to clear the way for unmodified ice hockey games to begin as early as this Friday. According to the report: “Indoor events are limited to 10% to 20% of capacity, depending upon the…
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Quebec Suspends Team Sports and Closes Sports Venues in Red Zones
The Montreal Gazette reported The Province of Quebec suspended team sports and closed fitness centers and gyms in Red Zones beginning October 8 for at least 20 days. According to the article provincial Junior Education Minister and Minister of Sports and Leisure Isabelle Charest made the announcement, and said, “For three weeks we’ll focus on…