Viral video shows young ice hockey players brawling in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hockey USA is investigating after a brawl erupted at a Mites on Ice match in Hershey, Pennsylvania on Friday.

A children’s ice hockey match erupted into an all-out brawl on the weekend, with children as young as 8 seen tackling and throwing punches.

The rumble happened during a three-minute Mites on Ice segment in an intermission at an American Hockey League game in Hershey, Pennsylvania last Friday local time, Fox News reported.

Viral footage of the incident, which featured players aged 6 to 8, begins with two minor league players trading hooks to the face, although it remains unclear what sparked the confrontation.

Moments later, more than 10 other players join in, throwing down their hockey sticks, before ramming, punching and tackling each other, with no umpire or supervising adults visible.

The footage shows one player punching his own teammate amid the chaos.

The crowd can be heard roaring as the goalkeeper skates from the far end of the rink to the fight and pummels an opposing player to the ice.

A statement released by the Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club said an internal review was underway, according to the New York Post.

The club added that the “safety, well-being, and positive experience of all participants — especially our young players — are of the utmost importance".

No injuries were reported, although the children did appear tired and out of breath following the brawl.

Online reaction to the fight was mixed.

One Facebook user said the fight “should be disturbing” but admitted it was “kinda cute”.

“Nobody watching seemed to bat an eyelid,” another said.

“They better NOT get punished. That was absolutely adorable!” a third wrote.

“Do not let a couple of Karens ruin something that the majority of people enjoyed, even the kids! Little pranks like that end up creating friendship bonds and memories for life!” they added.

However, the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) said it was considering disciplinary action after allegations surfaced online that the fight was staged, Local 21 CBS News reported.

They said officials were investigating the fight that was “not sanctioned by USA Hockey or the AAHA” and “appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against those players and team officials involved with the staged fight”.

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