UPDATE: A 17-year-old hockey fan, Nathan Pack, is recovering after being struck in the face by a puck during a Port Huron Prowlers game at McMorran Place on September 30, 2023. This alarming incident has raised urgent questions about player safety and potential criminal charges.
The puck flew into the stands just moments before the buzzer at the end of the first period during a match against the Blue Ridge Bobcats. Witnesses reported chaos as Pack was hit while celebrating a goal. “I was really dizzy,” Nathan said. “I couldn’t remember a lot of the stuff.”
Fan Chris Baker, who witnessed the incident, described the aftermath as shocking. “There was literally blood all over the floor,” Baker recounted. This prompted immediate action from Pack’s mother, Kay-Lynn Pack, who rushed him to the emergency room. Fortunately, doctors confirmed he would be okay, but they described the cut as a “lucky break” that could have been far worse.
In response to the incident, the city of Port Huron issued a statement, declaring that the player responsible would be banned from the arena for “reckless and intentional” actions. Authorities are now considering potential criminal charges, highlighting the severity of the situation. Baker added, “It came within inches of hitting three different minors,” emphasizing the danger posed to younger fans.
Despite the terrifying experience, Nathan expressed relief that he was the one injured rather than someone else. “I’m glad I took the puck to the head instead of someone else,” he stated. The Port Huron Prowlers are now escalating the matter for an official review by the Federal Prospect’s Hockey League and have requested the Blue Ridge Bobcats acknowledge the city’s no-trespass order.
The Bobcats organization has acknowledged that their recent performance does not meet their standards, and the player involved is facing a one-game suspension. “I’m glad I got some sort of justice,” Nathan said, showing his desire for accountability.
The Pack family is calling attention to the need for improved safety measures at family-friendly venues, stating, “They really need to think before they chuck a puck anywhere.” Nathan described the incident as preventable and unnecessary, saying, “It was a careless event that I think should have never happened.”
As the investigation continues, the Pack family hopes that this shocking incident will lead to enhanced safety protocols to protect fans in the future. The community is watching closely as developments unfold in this urgent situation.
