NHL Security Measures Heightened Amid Paris Attacks

NHL security measures have been heightened around the entire league, amid the devastating terrorist attacks on France yesterday. The NHL, along with every other major North American sports league is taking extra precautions to ensure safety within its venues. The attacks on Paris triggered a state of emergency from France, calling it the worst attacks since World War II.

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Yes the cowardice attacks were made across the giant pond we call the Atlantic Ocean, but it’s a very real worldwide issue that could affect us all at some point. For those who saw yesterday’s sports highlights, you’ll recall the French soccer game in which two separate explosions were heard roughly three minutes apart, eventually halting the game. Spectators and players were put in virtual lockdown within the confines of the venue. This is a reality check for a very real situation that could some day happen in our own backyard. It’s only sensible that NHL security measures would be heightened.

NHL.com reported earlier today that Flyers forward P.E. Bellemare was particularly affected by the incident. Bellemare grew up in Paris, France and he has family/friends in the country, including his sister who is located in Paris. Luckily, Bellemare was able to reach his sister by phone and ensure that she was safe.

via NHL.com,“She was home,” Bellemare said from PNC Arena after the Flyers finished their morning skate. The Flyers play the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night (7 p.m. ET; CSN-PH, FS-CR). “She had come back from work in the middle of Paris. When I called her she was as shocked as me.”Several attacks across the city were conducted Friday, including one at a concert hall and another at the national soccer stadium, where France was hosting Germany in an exhibition match. Bombs and guns were used in the attacks; more than 120 people were killed and more than 350 were injured, officials said“Most all of my friends in Paris responded they were present on Facebook. Obviously that makes you more relaxed,” Bellemare said. “It’s terrible. The biggest reaction is shock. You just try to give support to the people you know.”Bellemare said he had returned to Paris this past offseason to visit his sister.“At first you’re shocked,” he said. “You don’t expect those things to happen. It’s terrible. You get kind of sad about what’s going on. You just try to give support to the people you know. Mostly you kind of worry about family and friends.”

The death toll in France has exceeded 120 people, with over 350 others injured after several attacks on the French capital. This is one of those world issues, that while has no direct correlation with sports, the indirect impacts are enough to shake the NBA, NFL, and NHL security measures halfway across the world.

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It really goes to show us how insignificant some of our issues in sports are though. For example, the lengths and measures some people have gone to, in order to eliminate fighting from hockey. If terrorist organizations solved their problems the same way NHL enforcers do, we’d have much less problems in the world. But, we live in anything but a perfect world. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those effected by these truly pathetic and cowardice acts of violence.