Mite Hockey Brawl Was Staged Event

Fake videos are commonplace on the internet these days, and they are getting so good at it that several renowned experts have been fooled.

If you follow hockey, then you’ve probably seen the latest viral video to explode across social media channels. Well, it turns out this one was also a fake. In this case, though, the video wasn’t AI-generated.

During the intermission of Saturday’s American Hockey League game between the host Hershey Bears and visiting Cleveland Monsters, a “Mites On Ice” competition was held between two squads of eight-under hockey players. 

Almost immediately, an all-out brawl broke out between the two clubs. Sticks flew, punches rained down, and one team’s goalie was smashing people all over the ice as if he were a WWE superstar.

Naturally, the video of the incident went viral on social media, accumulating millions of views. Some delighted in the spectacle, while others expressed moral outrage at the decay of society.

As would soon be discovered, the entire episode was an act. Both groups of players were from the same team, part of the Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club. And the whole thing was planned. Players could be heard laughing about it all in the dressing room after leaving the ice.

The cause of the ruse is under investigation

Area youth hockey organizations were not at all amused by the entire incident. The Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA), the area’s USA Hockey affiliate, is investigating the fight.

“We are aware of a staged fight that occurred at the Hershey Bears (AHL) game involving a Pennsylvania 8U team,” the AAHA said in a statement. “Affiliate, league, and club officials are investigating the matter, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against those players and team officials involved with the staged fight.”

The Central Penn Panthers, the organization for which the team plays, is undertaking its own investigation.

"The safety, well-being, and positive experience of all participants—especially our young players—are of the utmost importance," said a statement from the club. "At this time, we believe it is important to allow this process to take place before drawing conclusions."