Maine High School Hockey Team Allowed to Finish Season With New Coaches

Beacon co-op team can play final games after appeal, but faces potential two-year ban next season

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A Portland-area cooperative high school hockey team, the Beacon Beacons, will be allowed to finish the remainder of its season after the team's head coach pulled them off the ice during a game last weekend. The Maine Principals' Association (MPA) voted to allow the players to complete the season, but with a new coaching staff. The Beacons still face a potential two-year ban from varsity competition next season, pending a separate appeals process.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges high school sports programs can face when coaches make controversial decisions that impact player safety and team participation. The MPA's decision to allow the Beacons to finish the season, while also upholding potential future penalties, reflects the complex balance between student-athlete welfare and adherence to league rules.

The details

Last weekend, Beacon head coach Joe Robinson pulled his team off the ice during the first period of a game against Old Town-Orono, citing concerns about player safety. Under MPA rules, this would have resulted in the Beacons forfeiting their final two games and facing a two-year ban from varsity competition. However, the four schools involved in the Beacons co-op team successfully appealed to the MPA, which voted unanimously to allow the players to finish the season with a new coaching staff. The girls coach from the Beacons co-op has agreed to step in and coach the boys for the remainder of the season.

  • Last weekend, the Beacon boys co-op team head coach Joe Robinson pulled his team off the ice during the first period against Old Town-Orono.
  • On Friday, the MPA management committee voted unanimously to allow the Beacons players, with a different coaching staff, to finish the season.
  • The Beacons will play again on Saturday night against the Marshwood/Noble/Sanford/Traip co-op.

The players

Joe Robinson

The head coach of the Beacon boys co-op team who pulled his team off the ice during a game last weekend.

Mike Burnham

The executive director of the Maine Principals' Association (MPA), which oversees high school sports in Maine.

Todd Livingston

The South Portland athletic director, who was not immediately reachable for comment.

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What they’re saying

“After due deliberation, the management committee voted unanimously to allow the kids, with a different coaching staff, to finish the season.”

— Mike Burnham, MPA Executive Director (Bangor Daily News)

“As a head coach, your number one priority is the health and safety of your players. Sometimes, as the adult in the room, you have to make tough choices. A hockey game is not worth somebody getting hurt. I can't turn a blind eye to something I'm not comfortable with.”

— Joe Robinson, Beacon Boys Co-op Team Head Coach (Bangor Daily News)

What’s next

The Beacons are still facing a potential two-year ban from varsity competition next season, pending a separate appeals process that is expected to unfold sometime next school year, likely in the fall.

The takeaway

This case highlights the delicate balance high school sports programs must strike between player safety concerns and adhering to league rules. The MPA's decision to allow the Beacons to finish the season, while upholding potential future penalties, demonstrates the complex challenges faced by administrators when coaches make controversial decisions that impact team participation.