Video of children in staged hockey fight in Pennsylvania prompts vow of disciplinary action
Video of youth hockey players brawling in a staged fight at a minor-league game in Pennsylvania has prompted officials to promise “appropriate disciplinary action” against organizers.
The wild scene broke out Saturday during intermission at the Hershey Bears-Cleveland Monsters American Hockey League game at Giant Center in Hershey, about 15 miles east of Harrisburg.
Viral video of the incident showed several players — including a goaltender — in on the fake fracas, dropping gloves, throwing punches, cross-checking and hitting from behind.
Players, who are 8 and younger from the Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club, brawled with no adults coming on to the ice to break up the action.
The Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association promised to take action against both adults and the players.
“We are aware of a staged fight that occurred last night at the Hershey Bears (AHL) game involving a Pennsylvania 8U team,” the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association said in a statement Sunday.
“Affiliate, league and club officials are investigating the matter and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against those players and team officials involved with the staged fight.”
A representative for the Hershey Bears, an affiliate of the Washington Capitals, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.
The Central Penn Panthers said in statement Sunday, “The safety, well-being, and positive experience of all participants — especially our young players — are of the utmost importance.”
“We are currently conducting an internal review to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. This review will include gathering information from all relevant parties and assessing the situation thoroughly and responsibly,” the Panthers said. “At this time, we believe it is important to allow this process to take place before drawing conclusions.”
Griffin Eckstein contributed.
