Rhode Island is a small state, the smallest in the union by land mass.
So there aren’t many degrees of separation in the Ocean State, especially in the tight-knit hockey community.
That camaraderie made Monday’s shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., all the more harrowing for Penguins forward Noel Acciari.
A native of Johnston, R.I., Acciari has skated at that venue throughout his life.
“I played at that rink growing up,” the 34-year-old Acciari said Tuesday. “I know that rink. Even in my time with the (American Hockey League’s) Providence Bruins, we had practice at that rink at times. I’m very familiar with it. It’s just a horrible tragedy. It shouldn’t happen.”
Per local authorities, three people died in the shooting, including the suspect, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Three others were wounded.
The shooting happened during a Rhode Island Interscholastic League boys game, according to the Woonsocket (R.I.) Call. Senior night activities scheduled for later in the day were canceled.
“Guys are playing their senior night,” Acciari said. “It’s supposed to be a special moment for the families, all celebrating the seniors and it ended in tragedy. That’s not a memory that you want. It’s horrible.”
Only 22 players born in Rhode Island have reached the NHL in its first 108 years of operation.
That limited fraternity includes Acciari, who helped Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick win a state title, then was a key component of Providence College’s only NCAA title in 2015.
“Small state,” Acciari said. “Everyone knows everyone. It doesn’t just affect all the families. It affects Rhode Island hockey, Rhode Islanders. We’re a small state, but we’re a tight state. It’s terrible. It hits everyone. It’s supposed to be a celebration, and now, it’s a disaster.
“Being out there, playing the sport you love. Family members, everyone enjoying the game, watching it. It’s supposed to be a special game, senior night. Just ended in tragedy. Just terrible.”
Letang practices
The Penguins players who are not participating in the Olympics resumed practicing Tuesday in Cranberry. Per NHL rules, all team activities were not permitted during the first 11 days of the break for the Olympics.
Among those who took to the ice was defenseman Kris Letang.
Currently designated to injured reserve with a fracture in his left foot, Letang was a full participant without any restrictions with regard to contact.
His ailment sidelined him for the team’s final four games going into the break, which began Feb. 6.
The team initially offered a timeframe of four weeks for his recovery, but Letang suggested he would be able to rejoin the lineup for the team’s first game following the Olympics, a home contest against the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 26.
“It feels pretty good,” Letang said. “Skated a little bit during the break. To be out there with everybody feels pretty good right now.”
Jones unable to practice
Defenseman Caleb Jones is one game into a 20-game suspension for violating terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. With that punitive measure, he is not permitted to participate in practices or other team activities for most of the suspension.
As such, he was absent from Tuesday’s session.
Per the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players’ Association, players serving suspensions related to performance-enhancing substances may not rejoin their team for team activities until 10 days prior to the final game of their suspension.
The final game of Jones’ suspension is scheduled to be a home game against the Detroit Red Wings on March 31.
