MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The wife of a young hockey referee, who died of COVID-19, believes he contracted the virus while driving games in Carver County.
Dan Culhane, 62, passed away in late February. His wife, Nancy Mitchell, also contracted the virus and was later informed by health officials that she had variant B.1.1.7, which was first identified in the UK and is considered highly contagious.
SEE MORE INFORMATION: Minnesota requires testing in Carver County amid outbreak of variants
“He loved the game itself. He loved the children, especially the younger ones who were just learning, ”said Mitchell.
For 20 years, Culhane has built a bond with players, coaches and other referees. He was also a cancer survivor whom doctors said he could once again play games with precautions.
Dan Culhane (credit: CBS)
“He took extra precautions. Various masks, electronic whistles, ”said Mitchell. “We have been extremely careful.”
But in February, both tested positive for COVID-19. As she got better, he got progressively worse and had a stroke.
“He was placed on a ventilator for the procedure and he never left it,” she said. “So it was very fast and very shocking, and I just don’t want any other family to go through this.”
Mitchell said she tested positive for the UK variant 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. The MDH said that 27 cases of the COVID-19 variant are now linked to the county.
SEE MORE INFORMATION: UK variant outbreak linked to youth sports in Carver County, authorities recommend 2-week break
“I have empathy for all parents and children, but personally I think, at the very least, they should take a break and just look at it,” said Mitchell. “You may be fine, but you just don’t know who’s not going to be okay.”
In the meantime, she is choosing to remember Culhane’s passion for the sport she loved.
“This is such a sad part that, you know, he basically died while participating in an activity he loved,” she said.
Dan Culhane (credit: CBS)
Eastern Carver County schools made some changes starting on Monday and running through March 21, including a break from 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 of knowing with certainty whether Culhane hired COVID-19 for his duties as arbiter.
Carver County parents are pushing to keep sports open and safe. Christina Jax, whose son plays hockey, said she is concerned about what a break can do to children’s mental health in sports. She believes that Carver County should not be isolated and wrote a letter to administrators detailing why.
“I don’t think it makes sense to just isolate this poor group of young athletes. If we’re going to do that, we need to make general statements for everyone and really be able to justify them statistically, ”said Jax.
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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 rings, they will continue to play.