Rink manager Tom Campbell said it’s “99 percent certain” that MSU will reinstate safety nets behind both goals at Munn Ice Arena this year - one season after the university removed the safeguards.
The move is largely in response to an NHL initiative to put safety nets in every member arena following the death of 13-year-old Brittanie Cecil at a Columbus Blue Jackets game in March. Cecil was struck in the head with a deflected puck and died two days later, becoming the first fan to be killed by a puck in the league’s history.
Many rinks - including Michigan’s Yost Ice Arena - are now turning to safety nets to protect prone portions of the crowd from errant pucks and to cover their legal bases.
The CCHA has not yet mandated the installation of safety nets - although it may do so at its Aug. 19 meeting - but MSU plans to regardless.
“We don’t want to take any chances,” Campbell said. “We have to keep in line with what the NHL does because if we don’t, it leaves us open to lawsuits.”
Munn had black protective-netting behind both goals from 1988-2001, Campbell said. The safeguards were taken down prior to last season to aid the viewing of new videoboards above the east and west concourses. Now, Campbell said he’s looking for unobtrusive nets that will add protection by extending above the end boards while still allowing fans to see everything.
“We’re trying to get the best of both worlds if we can,” Campbell said. “We’re doing some research so that we can streamline the nets for our purposes. If we go more than 8 or 9 feet high, they will block the videoboards.
“We’re not going to pull the trigger until we get it right where we want it.”
Campbell said he’s planning to stick with black netting, as opposed to white or clear nets. Munn’s new netting will extend all the way around the end boards to the point where the rink straightens out - which is farther than it used to go.
The cost of the project “shouldn’t be more than” $3,000 to $4,000, Campbell said.
Season-ticket-holder Sandy Evans, whose seats are behind the goal on the west end of Munn, said she had no problem with the safety nets when they were up before, and she welcomes their return.
“I just got used to seeing through them,” the Holt resident said. “It becomes a nonissue as far as seeing the game, and it’s important to be safe. I bet most of the people sitting around me would disagree, but I like the added safety.”
MSU sophomore center Jim Slater, on the other hand, opposes the nets.
“They take away from the atmosphere of the whole game,” Slater said. “They take away from the viewing in the seats - there’s no need for them at Munn.
“It was a fluke injury in Columbus and it’s kind of getting out of control. That’s my take on it”
Come meet Comley & Co.
The MSU Alumni Club of Mid-Michigan and the MSU Blue Line Club will co-host a Spartan Ice Hockey Open House at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Munn Ice Arena. The 90-minute free event is open to all hockey fans, particularly alumni.
Spartan head coach Rick Comley, athletics director Ron Mason and several players will be on hand for a meet-and-greet session. Tours of the hockey facilities, suites and press box also are scheduled. Refreshments, posters and schedule cards will be available.
