CANTLON: EX-WHALER/RANGER, BOB CRAWFORD, CONCERNED ABOUT YOUTH HOCKEY 

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

CROMWELL, CT – Virtually everything has been affected in one way or another by COVID-19. Youth sports, especially hockey, at all levels, is no exception.

In late November, Governor Ned Lamont and his administration issued an executive order that ended all hockey, among other youth sports.

Bob Crawford, the former Hartford Whaler, New York Ranger, and New Haven Nighthawk, jumped at the chance to defend the sport of hockey and youth sports in general. He sees the red light blinking for the sport of hockey at all levels.

“I’ve never been so disappointed in my life. I’m at a quandary though. Why are youth sports under a myriad of separate rules under the executive orders? The matrix of rules seems to be skewed against ice hockey,” Crawford said.

The ex-NHL’er is the owner of three Connecticut ice rinks, Champions Skating Center in Cromwell, which is also the secondary practice rink for the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Bolton Ice Palace in Bolton, and the International Skating Center of Connecticut in Simsbury.

“I’ll take just my facilities for example. I have two international rink surfaces that encompass 20,000 square feet per surface. We can only have four kids on the ice with an instructor at any time under the current health guidelines. If I was involved with another sport with a say, 200 square foot surface, I would still only be allowed, four people. I really wonder how did we arrived at those numbers?

“In hockey, the kids are fully suited from head-to-toe. (They) have helmets with face shields, skates, and gloves, and no skin-to-skin contact. There is no physical contact for boys until (age) 14, and in girl’s hockey, there is no contact at all. They dress up outside, practice for an hour, get off the ice, and go home.

“Kids need the structure, and the sport needs the continuity that that structure brings. The chain of social and emotional bonds that are created through team sports have been fractured. They miss their friends.”

Prior to the Governor’s shutdown, teams were already forced to only play Connecticut teams based in the state forcing the cancellation of all interstate competition.

The issue of state cross-border play with Massachusetts has arisen, but the issue was clarified by Governor Charles Baker in the middle of last week.

“Governor Baker, last Tuesday at a press conference, stated he considered hockey practices and/or games (one per day) to be acceptable under the prevailing Massachusetts COVID guidelines.

“This entails new rules of rinks, that are without spectators, no locker room use, players will enter one door and exit another immediately after the conclusion of practices, and/or games. Other safety features that we have been operating under, and continue to do so, such as hand sanitizing stations, wearing masks, and other protective measures. Is there not a compact between the Northeastern states? “

The issue of the mental health of young players worries Crawford.

“Connecticut has declared a mental health crisis in our state. Parents have called me and frustratingly tell me, that their children are showing signs of shutting down, locking themselves in their rooms because they’re angry that they can’t participate in team sports with their friends. This whole situation is very scary and disturbing to me.”

Business economics is also very real.

“No question. We’re hurting like every other business in our state, and in the country. Our state membership numbers are down 30%, which mirrors national numbers, highlighting the serious decline in youth sports.”

He is encouraged by a recent grassroots approach by youth hockey in a letter-writing/puck-sending campaign being done by the Connecticut youth hockey community to the governor’s office.

The executive orders put a stop to all hockey until January 19th. It was a one-size-fits-all, cookie-cutter approach. Crawford feels it is not a productive direction with the vast majority of the youth hockey community feeling likewise.

“Am I concerned about the virus? Who isn’t?”

Crawford just wants the concerns that he and his fellow rink managers and owners, parents, and participants to be heard and their advice be sought.

“I feel that the public and government officials should plan together because youth sports are critical for our children’s development.

“I welcome participation in any constructive discussions in the broader conversation to find an equitable way to preserve, protect, and grow youth sports in this challenging environment,“ Crawford said.

This is the challenge of our times.