For the next two weeks, the Worcester Ice Center will be empty.

“I'm not surprised at all. It is what it is. I mean we want to be able to provide a great product here and make sure it's a safe environment for our user groups and the community. It's important for us to get this right.,” said Derek Alfama, General Manager of the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center.

The state is ordering rinks to close for skating and to most hockey teams after at least 30 clusters cases of COVID-19 were linked to hockey, resulting in 108 positive cases across the state.

Shayne Toporowski is a parent of a youth hockey player. He says he's disappointed with the state's decision and worries about the mental health of players during the pandemic. 

Toporowski said, “It's going to be tough for the kids, especially down here at the Worcester Ice Center. I really believe that they are taking the right protocols to ensure public safety.”

Alfama says​ some of those protocols include extra cleaning, closing locker rooms, and not allowing fans. The order does not apply to college and professional hockey teams, but Alfama says it will still make things tough. 

Alfama said, “It's going to be difficult to be off for two weeks and have no hockey here at our facility other than college. Any time you can't have any revenue and operate on a normal basis it's very difficult.”

Massachusetts​ isn't the only state putting a pause on youth hockey.  Last week, New Hampshire also suspended youth hockey for two weeks.

Massachusetts health leaders say they agree with the state's pause. 

Dr. Eric Dickson, President and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care, said, “We have seen a lot of cases coming from the sport and so I think he's doing the right thing. It's hard for those impacted but necessary for the state.”

In the meantime, staff at the Worcester Ice Center is hoping come November 7, youth and junior league players can get back out on the ice.