Regional hockey body leaves U.S. travel decisions to teams

Hockey Northwestern Ontario is leaving the decision on travel to the U.S. up to area hockey clubs.

The immigration crackdown in the U.S. has caused some to question whether they should be playing stateside.

Minneapolis, in particular, has been the site of ongoing protests over the presence of Immigration and Enforcement (ICE) Officers as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigrants.

In a statement, HNO says it will not prevent or restrict any team from doing so.

“HNO will not prevent or restrict any team or participant from choosing to compete in the United States,” a statement reads, attributed to Executive Director Jim Fetter.

“We fully support teams pursuing competitive opportunities as planned.”

The HNO emphasizes the importance of keeping teams and their leadership informed about what is happening.

“We strongly encourage teams to thoughtfully consider the safety and well-being of their players, staff, and families when making decisions about participation in events, particularly those near areas experiencing heightened activity or demonstrations,” the statement reads.

Several teams from northwestern Ontario have already competed in Minnesota tournaments and reported no issues crossing the border or in the communities they visited.

Some First Nation organizations have advised Indigenous people to use caution and ensure they carry their status card and passport when travelling in the U.S.

Their advisory was in response to reports that some Indigenous people were being racially profiled and illegally detained by ICE agents.