Ice Hockey Team Looks Unlikely at Lacey High School This Year

Nearly a month after students and parents lobbied the Lacey Board of Education to start an ice hockey program at Lacey High School, it appears that the idea is off the table for the upcoming winter sports season.

Still, some township residents said they will come to the next Board of Education meeting to protest the decision.

"As a group we don't understand how, why or who is holding back ice hockey," said Nicole Knutson, one of the Lacey residents who has organized support for an ice hockey program in the school district.

A Nov. 12 letter to Knutson from district Athletic Director Karen Hughes said the Board of Education was briefed on the idea of starting an ice hockey team and responded positively, but the program cannot be started this year "due to budgetary and time constraints."

Parents pledged that they would be willing to fund the cost of running the team, but such an idea did not sit well with board members, Hughes' letter said.

"Although we have spoken at great length about the pay-to -play concept, philosophically, the Board of Education does not promote that option," Hughes wrote.

A "viable option" for the time being would be a hockey club, Hughes said.

Knutson said students have been desirous of a school ice hockey team for at least the past decade, and she had spoken with a 2006 Lacey High graduate who said he pushed for a team in 2003.

Knutson praised Hughes, however, and said parents were appreciative of her support for starting a team in the future.