Parents say Minnesota hockey district policy goes after post

ANOKA, Minn. — A new policy in Minnesota Hockey’s District 10 that banned post-game gatherings at center ice has drawn immediate backlash from parents and players — prompting Minnesota Hockey to hit pause on its enforcement.

The district's association presidents agreed on the ban earlier this month, saying that on-ice gatherings were causing scheduling and timing issues at hockey arenas. But for many families, the decision seemed directly aimed at ending the tradition of post-game prayer circles, which are led by players and typically last less than a minute.

“It felt like they were just trying to sneak it through as something minor,” said Cameron Carson, whose two daughters play in District 10. He explained that after the handshake line, players usually kneel at center ice with arms