Fans face tighter security after Paris attacks
NHL fans should expected heightened security measures as they enter arenas. (USATSI)
In the wake of Friday night’s attacks in Paris, security is being heightened in major cities around the world. The same is true for arenas around the National Hockey League as its member clubs have been advised to enhance security measures at their respective venues.
“We have sent an advisory to our Clubs to be on heightened alert given today’s events in Paris,” Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement.
Though a timeline has not been given for how long the heightened alert will last, fans attending games should probably anticipate this continuing for at least the weekend’s games. There were four games in the NHL on Friday night.
Here is the statement the Detroit Red Wings issued before the evening’s game against the San Jose Sharks at Joe Louis Arena (via the Detroit Free Press):
“Due to the unfolding events taking place tonight in Paris, Joe Louis Arena security has coordinated with law enforcement officials to provide enhanced security measures at Joe Louis Arena for tonight’s game between the Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks. These measures are being taken out of an abundance of caution and will be kept in place until more information is available. Similar enhanced security measures are currently in place at the Fox Theatre and Hockeytown Café.”
The league had already mandated walk-through metal detectors in every arena prior to this season. Most teams had already been using some form of detectors prior to their becoming mandatory league-wide.
As a result of this heightened alert at NHL arenas, fans should probably expect a heavier police presence at games and may need to account for more time to get through the arena doors.
As all of this has unfolded, NHL players from around the league have shared their support for Paris. The Washington Capitals lit up their arena in the colors of the French flag in tribute to the victims of Friday’s attacks, while a moment of silence was held in other arenas.
French NHLers Antoine Roussel of the Dallas Stars and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare of the Philadelphia Flyers sent tweets in their native language:
Encore sous le Choc des nouvelles de Paris!!! Toutes mes pensées vont à l endroit des victimes et leur famille!#FranceStrong #ParisAttacks
— Antoine Roussel (@Rous_ant) November 14, 2015
“Still reeling from the news of Paris! All my thoughts go to the victims and their families!”
?? Pensées aux victimes et familles ?? #FranceStrong #ParisAttacks
— Pierre-E Bellemare (@bellsy78) November 14, 2015
“Thoughts to the victims and families.”
Follow CBSNews.com for the latest on the attacks in Paris.
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