Hill-Murray hockey players file lawsuit against MSHSL to play in state tournament
Senior members of the Hill-Murray varsity hockey team have filed a lawsuit against the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) just ahead of Wednesday's opening round of the Class 2A boys' state tournament.
Nine seniors filed the lawsuit in Washington County District Court with hopes that a judge will grant their request for a temporary restraining order agains the MSHSL.
If granted, Hill-Murray could be allowed to play in Wednesday's quarterfinal game against Wayzata, which according to the suit would be in favor of rescheduling the game to Thursday if possible.
The lawsuit notes that the Minnesota Department of Health says Hill-Murray would be "eligible to commence hockey activities on Thursday, April 1, 2021, just one day after their scheduled game against Wayzata."
The alleged COVID-19 exposure happened during Hill-Murray's Mar. 24 section final against White Bear Lake. One player from White Bear Lake later allegedly tested positive for COVID-19, though the lawsuit argues that Hill-Murray players has "almost no contact with the infected player.
The lawsuit states that no Hill-Murray player had more than 4 seconds of exposure with the infected player.
Per MSHSL guidelines, all players were wearing face masks during the game.
The MSHSL does not comment on any form of litigation, and Hill-Murray has so far only released the following statement:
"We’re working with the MN Dept. of Health and the MN State High School League to determine the eligibility of our boys varsity hockey players following a potential COVID exposure with an opposing player.
"We hope our boys will be playing in the State Tournament this week."
Hermantown, the No. 1 seed in Class 1A, is facing a similar situation Tuesday as they plan to play Dodge County at 6 p.m., though they'll only have three regular varsity players as the rest are in quarantine after a potential COVID-19 exposure during a recent game.
Hermantown's roster will be mostly junior varsity players on Tuesday night.
