LOSING THE RINK IS FAR GREATER. IT’S A LOT MORE THAN JUST HOCKEY, BUT HOCKEY IS THE KEY TO MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN. MATT LEONE HELPS LEAD THE BALTIMORE BANNERS, A FREE REC HOCKEY TEAM FOR CITY KIDS AND YOUNG MEN. THE MINI DOME IS THEIR HOME BASE WHERE MENTORING HAPPENS, AND PLAYERS CAN EVEN GRAB A MEAL. IT’S NOT JUST A TEAM AT THIS POINT. IT’S BEEN PLAYING FOR SO LONG. IT’S FAMILY AS WELL. NOW THAT’S ALL AT RISK. AFTER THE CITY ANNOUNCED IT PLANS TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE THE ICE RINK DUE TO ITS AGE AND OVERALL CONDITION. WE CAME TO THIS DECISION QUITE HONESTLY. IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT ONE. BUT SAFETY OF OUR PATRONS AND STAFF WAS PRIORITY NUMBER ONE. BALTIMORE CITY RECREATION AND PARKS HAS CONCERNS WITH THE CENTER’S FOUNDATION, DOME INTEGRITY AND SOIL MOVEMENT ISSUES THAT DATE BACK TO THE 1998 PATTERSON PARK MASTER PLAN. THE DEPARTMENT SAYS BUILDING A NEW ICE RINK WOULD COST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. ALREADY, THE DOME IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO FIX A DAMAGED WALL, AND IF REPAIRS ARE SUCCESSFUL, IT WILL REOPEN IN LATE DECEMBER OR EARLY JANUARY FOR ITS FINAL SEASON. TO HEAR THE ENERGY AND THE KIDS LAUGHING AND SCREAMING AND HAVING FUN, I JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CITY IS THINKING. THE DOME HAS BEEN AROUND NEARLY 40 YEARS. MALLORY RICHARDS HAS BEEN THERE FOR 20 OF THEM, LEADING THE PATTERSON PARK STARS, TEACHING CHILDREN HOW TO SKATE AND PLAY HOCKEY AT NO COST. SHE ALSO FEARS FOR THE FUTURE OF HER PROGRAM. DISBELIEF, BECAUSE THERE’S SO MANY PEOPLE THAT CARE FOR THIS FACILITY THAT USE THIS FACILITY. THE STARS AND BANNERS SAY LOSING THE DOME WILL HURT THEIR CITY FOCUSED MODEL, RECRUITING KIDS FROM MARGINALIZED NEIGHBORHOODS TO PLAY A SPORT THEY WOULDN’T GET TO EXPERIENCE OTHERWISE. IT MEANS A LOT TO ME. I FEEL REALLY GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH MY TEAMMATES AND NOW REALLY LIKE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. THEY’RE NOT GIVING UP HOPE FOR MANY MORE SEASONS AT THE MINI DOME. FOR NOW, THE CITY SAYS THEY’RE EXPLORING FUNDRAISING OPTIONS, MEETING WITH PARTNERS AND CONSIDERING ALTERNATE SITES. AT PATTERSON PAR
Investigation underway after ‘staged’ fight erupts during youth hockey game
An investigation is underway into what officials are calling a “staged” fight at a youth hockey game in Pennsylvania Saturday night. In a post from the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association, officials issued a statement saying they are aware of a “staged fight” that broke out during an event held at intermission at the Hershey Bears game involving a Pennsylvania 8U team.Video above: Youth hockey coaches seek to save ice rink slated to close”Affiliate, league, and club officials are investigating the matter, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against those players and team officials involved in the staged fight,” the hockey association said. “This intermission game was not sanctioned by USA Hockey or the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association.” Following the incident, the Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club issued a statement, saying that the safety and well-being of players is its top priority. “We have been made aware of an incident that occurred last night during the ‘Mites on Ice’ event between periods of the Hershey Bears game,” the youth hockey club said in a post. “The safety, well-being, and positive experience of all participants — especially our young players — are of the utmost importance.” The youth hockey club continued, thanking families, partners, and the community, while asking for patience as an investigation continues. “At this time, we believe it is important to allow this process to take place before drawing conclusions,” Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club said. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our families, partners, and community as we work through this matter.”
An investigation is underway into what officials are calling a “staged” fight at a youth hockey game in Pennsylvania Saturday night.
In a post from the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association, officials issued a statement saying they are aware of a “staged fight” that broke out during an event held at intermission at the Hershey Bears game involving a Pennsylvania 8U team.
Video above: Youth hockey coaches seek to save ice rink slated to close
“Affiliate, league, and club officials are investigating the matter, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against those players and team officials involved in the staged fight,” the hockey association said. “This intermission game was not sanctioned by USA Hockey or the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association.”
Following the incident, the Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club issued a statement, saying that the safety and well-being of players is its top priority.
“We have been made aware of an incident that occurred last night during the ‘Mites on Ice’ event between periods of the Hershey Bears game,” the youth hockey club said in a post. “The safety, well-being, and positive experience of all participants — especially our young players — are of the utmost importance.”
The youth hockey club continued, thanking families, partners, and the community, while asking for patience as an investigation continues.
“At this time, we believe it is important to allow this process to take place before drawing conclusions,” Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club said. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our families, partners, and community as we work through this matter.”
