MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The wife of a youth hockey referee, who died of COVID-19, believes she contracted the virus while officiating games in Carver County.
Sixty-two-year-old Dan Culhane passed away at the end of February. His wife, Nancy Mitchell, also received the virus and was later told by health officials that she had variant B.1.1.7, which was first identified in the United Kingdom and is considered highly contagious.
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“She liked the game itself. He loved children, especially the younger ones who were just a kind of learning, ”Mitchell said.
For 20 years, Culhane has built a bond with the players, coaches and fellow referees. He was also a cancer survivor, who was told by doctors that he could re-officiate the games with caution.
Dan Culhane (credit: CBS)
“She has taken additional precautions. Multiple masks, electronic whistles, ”said Mitchell. “I was extremely careful.”
But in February, both tested positive for COVID-19. As she improved, he progressively worsened and suffered a stroke.
“He was put on a ventilator for the procedure and never came out of it,” she said. “So it was very fast and very shocking, and I just don’t want any other family to go through that.”
Mitchell said she tested positive for the UK version and believes her husband contracted the virus while running youth hockey games in Victoria and Waconia. Last week, the Minnesota Department of Health recommended a two-week break for youth sports in Carver County. MDH said that 27 cases of COVID-19 are now related to the county.
READ MORE: The focus of the UK variant related to sports for young people in Carver County, officials recommend a 2-week break
“I have empathy for all parents and children, but I personally think that at least they should take a break and just look at this,” Mitchell said. “You may be OK, but you just don’t know who won’t be OK.”
Meanwhile, she chooses to remember Culhane’s passion for the sport she loved.
“Such a sad part is that, you know, he practically died participating in an activity he loved,” she said.
Dan Culhane (credit: CBS)
Schools in Eastern Carver County have made some changes starting Monday through March 21, including a break for all non-college winter sports and additional safety measures for college teams.
The district did not comment on Mitchell’s allegations. There is no way to know for sure if Culhane contracted COVID-19 from his position as referee.
Carver County parents are working to keep the sport open and safe. Christina Jax, whose son plays college hockey, said she was worried about what could be a break for children’s mental health in sports. She believes Carver County should not be isolated and has written a letter to administrators detailing why.
“I don’t think it makes sense to isolate only this poor group of young athletes. If we do, then we have to make general statements for everyone and, in fact, we can statistically justify it, ”Jax said.
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Last week, the Chaska-Chanhassen Hockey Association said last week that unless there is a direct order from the governor, Minnesota Hockey or community skating rinks, they will continue to play.