Pittsburgh Penguins forward Adam Johnson in action during an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, September 22, 2017. Johnson died after his neck was cut by a skate during a game. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, file)
It wouldn’t be a meeting of the MIAA Ice Hockey Committee if someone didn’t mention the return of the Division 1A tournament.
More than an hour passed in Tuesday’s meeting before Framingham athletic director Paul Spear took the opportunity to bring up the topic during the coaches’ topical portion of the meeting. He said both boys and girls coaches wanted to return to the topic. Wellesley athletic director John Brown echoed similar sentiments and recently expressed that desire to MIAA executive director Bob Baldwin.
The meeting opened with some breaking news when MIAA state hockey tournament director Scott Paine announced he would be stepping down after the next state tournament.
“I’ve been a tournament director for lacrosse, football and hockey for a long time and I’ve really enjoyed it, so it was a very difficult decision,” said Paine, who is athletic director at Scituate. “Scituate gave me the opportunity to be here for another five years and grow my role in the district.
“It’s time to bring in some new blood and I’m sure there are some people who would like to take on that role. I’m not going anywhere and I’m ready to help whoever takes over. I’ll miss it, but it’s time to move away.
MIAA Associate Executive Director and Hockey Committee Liaison Richard Pearson congratulated Paine.
“I want to personally thank Scott for everything he’s done, he’s made a huge impact there,” Pearson said. “He’s a leader, he takes care of the person and makes things easier for everyone.”
As for the upcoming tournament, the Sweet 16 will take place on March 2-3, the Elite 8 matches on March 6-7 with the Final Four competition schedule on March 9-10, leaving a full week before the finals. State (March 17 at Jardin TD). Paine said the seven-day break was helpful in case weather issues delayed or moved matches forward by a day or two.
With state quarterfinal games being played at neutral sites (unlike state semifinals in the past), Paine said there is added pressure to find suitable venues to host these matches. He visited traditional sites such as Tsongas Arena, Loring in Framingham, Stoneham, Gallo, Canton, Watertown, Chelmsford and Woburn.
“The most important thing is to choose places that can host the games and that actually want to host them.” » said Paine. “For me, this is the most important criterion.”
The committee agrees to try GameSheet, a device that allows schools to grade play via an iPad app (as opposed to traditional scoresheets), starting with Elite 8 contests. An added benefit is that it does not require Internet connection, a bonus given that some rinks do not provide or have limited Internet availability.
US Hockey’s recent decision to require neck laceration protection for all junior hockey players and officials under the age of 18 effective August 1 has been a topic of discussion. MIAA Ice Hockey President Dan Shine has been the subject of discussion since the tragic death of Adam Johnson due to a cut skate on his neck on October 28.
“There’s not a lot of data on the throat guard and what difference it might make,” Shine said. “There’s been a lot of back and forth between doctors and one of the concerns is that if a skate got caught under the protector and was removed, it could make things worse.”
The current Newton teachers strike has put a stop to all sporting events in the community. Brown, who is the president of the Bay State Conference, said there is concern about what could happen if the strike persists and teams continue to miss games.
“We’ve had discussions within the league,” Brown said. “I was talking to the Newton North athletic director (Michael Jackson) right before the meeting started to find out where we are. Will they become packages or no competition?
