TRENTON, N.J. – Ice hockey players are feeling the cold shoulder from Gov. Phil Murphy. Now that New Jersey has authorized gyms, indoor dining and entertainment venues to resume operations with proper safety precautions, Assemblymen Ron Dancer and Kevin J. Rooney are calling on the governor to allow athletes to return to ice rinks.
Research from Eastern Michigan University shows that during a typical hockey game player-to-player close proximity is limited to 3 seconds. Dr. Mike Stuart of the Mayo Clinic and USA Hockey’s chief medical and safety officer, along with other medical professionals, have determined that the sport is safe to play provided the proper precautions are exercised.
On October 1, USA Hockey Executive Director Pat Kelleher sent a letter to Judith Persichilli, New Jersey’s health commissioner, and Dr. Christina Tan, the state epidemiologist, to support the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association’s request to return to ice hockey. The AAHA, which oversees youth ice hockey associations in New Jersey, issued guidelines that emphasize Covid-19 mitigation strategies such as face masks, proper hygiene and sanitization, and practical social distancing.
New Jersey’s Department of Health defines hockey as a medium risk sport. Beginning July 8, no-contact ice hockey practices were permitted to return indoors; however, sports in the medium risk category are currently only able to participate in competitions outdoors.
“We are urging Governor Murphy to work with us. Be a team player and allow ice hockey athletes to responsibly resume indoor competitions and scrimmages,” said the lawmakers.