Post-game prayer turns into CHAOS!

Ref is an idiot. Parent is an idiot.

The father clearly is a total nut. Get a grip pal

The helmet requirement is for player safety and probably a rink rule and nothing to do with religious freedom- the father is a jackass and probably an embarrassment to his child

Since when does freedom of religion over ride the rules of player safety and the privately owned rink rules..if you want religion go to a fucking church.

At $300 or so an hour for ice please go pray in the lobby or outside.

What a stupid fucking asshole. Most likely had a kid playing who is going to be embarrassed as shit. Poor kid.

To me it looked like the ref was just telling them to put their helmets on because it’s their rule and let them have their ceremony real quick. Then you got the tool bag Dad that’s gotta go make a big deal about everything. Dude stay off the ice. Put your phone away moron 🙄

Everyone here sucks tbh. Freedom of religion doesn’t mean you get to do whatever you want, it just means the government can’t establish a national religion or infringe on your right to practice your own religion. This dad is both wrong, and insane. They really should reel in alcohol sales at rinks. I’m happy that kids seem to be turning to Christ, but it would do them good to actually read their Bibles. In Matthew 5:5-6 Jesus is prettt explicit about praying in public for everyone to see. They should take this prayer session to the privacy of the locker room or somewhere more secluded. Unless the zam is trying to get on the ice in that moment, the ref should have just let it go, he created/extended the issue by trying to get the kids off the ice. It probably would have taken a minute or two for the kids to finish and this would have been a non issue. But, at the the same time if the rink has a rule of wearing helmets while on the ice regardless of the time left in the game, they should keep their buckets on and this wouldn’t have been an issue.

If parents storm the ice for any reason the ref should be allowed to murder them in self defense.

They scare these refs with equipment rules, telling them they could get in trouble if someone gets hurt.

As a Christian, I think the center ice post game hockey prayer is dumb. Go pray in a room off the ice. If you want to hang w the other team, go out to eat. Stop with the exclusive virtue signaling. Also, shorten your games to allot for prayer time.

This is what happens when two assholes back up against each other and start shitting.

If those were muslims on their knees at center ice facing Mecca, this make international news and Senators are making speeches in DC. Actually, that wouldn't happen 'cause we ALL know that that ref wouldn't say a peep. Good on the dad for defending them.

If you're on the ice, you need to wear a helmet. Some rules are complicated. This is not one of them. Incidentally, ANYONE entering the ice from the stands earns an immediate trespass.

Ref is atheist Extreme and unnecessary for that ref to tell the kids that Threatening them with penalties for not removing their helmets? They are on their knees

In my entire life of playing hockey and attending hockey games I've never seen a post game prayer. Can't Christians just let their kids have fun like normal people?

Every kid takes his helmet off if it was a tournament win. Nobody says anything at that point. Ref is in the wrong.

If this is a USA Hockey sanctioned event it is a requirement to have your helmet on while on the ice. Dad is wrong, ref is correct. The ref was not denying anyone of their 1st amendment rights nor was he restricting anyone praying. Have another beer Dad.

Not to be a stickler… but in the refs defense it’s a USA hockey rule that players need to wear their helmets while on the ice… are the players in any danger? No. Are they breaking a rule? Technically yes. Solution for everybody to win: step off the ice and pray

Dad’s a dick here. The ref could’ve gone about it better and maybe said hey when you’re done please put your helmets back on to skate off so we’re not liable for an injury Incase something happens. The taking the phone is a little weird but a parent should never be on the ice.

Rich entitled assholes thinking the rules don’t apply to their kids because of this religious spectacle bs.

The dad is a moron. The refs are trained to require everyone to wear helmets on the ice. Youth players aren’t allowed to take their helmets off, it’s not complicated. They can do the prayer with their helmets on. It happens all the time with no issue.

As soon as you step on the ice as a spectator you are trespassing. Clown.

The parent is WILDLY in the wrong here. Remember, "the first amendment protects you from the government, not from me".

Dad is an a-hole. Kids have to have helmets on while on the ice. It’s a liability thing. If one of those kids steps on a stick and splits their head open - USAH, both teams, coaches, and refs are all getting sued by the family.

No parent should ever be stepping on the field of any sport...

Ref assaulted the guy, no way around that

If the league rules say players must wear a helmet on the ice surface that’s the rule religion doesn’t Trump rules I can’t tell people my religion allows me to speed in my vehicle and get mad if I get pulled over

I HATE when kids take their helmets off, but it happens after championship games and for team pictures. Regardless, get that dad out of there.

That father needs to stfu. I bet his kid was fucking embarrassed.

The 1st amendment doesn’t apply to the ref, the rink, etc. Typical undereducated American not understanding the Constitution. The Bill of Rights applies to the government restricting speech, assembly, practicing of religion, etc.

Dad making it himself. Kudos to the kids - they remained composed. Much better ways for dad to voice opinion and work for change. Never go on to ice. Refs will make mistakes- but no refs no game - and the shortage is only getting worse

God hockey parents are the worst…

It’s a safety issue it always has been. There are no rules against praying they can pray to what ever GOD they want. Prayer is and should be allowed. Most arenas have this in the rules you have to wear your helmet when on the surface of the ice. The ref was not against praying