Wild’s Marcus Foligno, PWHL players speak on ongoing tensions in Minnesota
Athletes are making their voice heard on a growing problem in the Twin Cities.
Over the past month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been involved in multiple civilian killings, with Renee Good and Alex Pretti losing their lives due to gunfire.
While hockey players, especially those in the NHL, have largely refrained from engaging in political and social issues, one veteran has expressed his views.
When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno was asked about the ongoing tensions in the area. He mentioned that it isn’t easy to see what has happened over the past month or so.
Marcus Foligno to reporters today on what has been a difficult time in the Twin Cities community
“It’s been pretty devastating,” Foligno said. “Having all my girls born here, Minnesota’s home, so to see what’s going on in the Twin Cities, it’s tough to see. And right now we’re just thinking about everyone involved and just trying to give our support as a team and through this organization.”
Foligno has been a member of the Wild since he was traded to the team by the Buffalo Sabres in June 2017. He pointed out that the situation is hard to ignore, even as a pro athlete.
“We get to play a sport for a living…So, sometimes it’s not always real. What’s real is what’s going on downtown and around Minnesota. So you just kind of step away from the game and understand what life’s all about. You’re thinking about everyone. Put yourself in their shoes, it’s a scary situation. So, we’re just trying to be supportive and try to get through it and just come to work and play this game. That’s all we really can do right now.”
Kelly Pannek and Taylor Heise of the PWHL’s Minnesota Frost made their voices heard after the team’s game against the New York Sirens on Sunday. Both Minnesota natives, they commented about the dangerous situation happening in their home state.
An emotional Pannek commented on the ongoing protests in Minneapolis and expressed her pride in her city for how its citizens are speaking out about what they feel.
“What I’m most proud to represent is the tens of thousands of people that show up on some of the coldest days of the year to stand and fight for what they believe in,” an emotional Pannek said. “For the people that it might not really truly affect them on a personal level, but it affects their neighbours. It affects their community. It affects our community as a whole.”
Frost player Kelly Pannek, of Plymouth, Minn., opened the postgame presser addressing the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. "It's obviously really heavy," said Pannek, fighting through tears along with her teammate and Lake City, Minn. native, Taylor Heise.
Heise pointed out how Frost games have provided fans in town with something to cheer about.
“We want this to be a safe place, this is a place anyone can come watch our games, be a part of our atmosphere,” Heise said. “It’s the harsh reality we live in. I think Minnesota, we’re coming together and finding ways to support one another…I think as a group we’ve done a great job of making people feel safe, even though you can’t feel safe, I feel like, in this time and place here in Minnesota.”
The Frost have held moments of silence prior to each of their home games following the deaths of Good and Pretti. During Sunday’s game, fans at the Grand Casino Arena were heard chanting, “ICE out now,” which led to some awkward moments when in-arena cameras tried to steer clear of showing fans visually protesting the government-led organization.
The Wild is one of many professional sports teams in the state to have co-signed a letter from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce that is asking for state, local and federal officials to find solutions to stymie the tensions and find peace in the city. The Frost, which is owned a ran by the PWHL, didn’t.