Admirals goalie gets unexpected check at mall

Posted to: Admirals Business News Norfolk Sports
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Dustin Tokarski, hockey player for the Norfolk Admirals 2009-10 season. (John Wright | Courtesy of Norfolk Admirals)

By Carolyn Shapiro
The Virginian-Pilot
© November 26, 2009

NORFOLK

Dustin Tokarski came to town to guard against oncoming threats, so he certainly understands the need for security.

Still, the new goalie for the Norfolk Admirals was rather surprised when two MacArthur Center officers carded him recently during a visit. Seems the guards thought Tokarski, who is 20 but could pass for a high school student, was violating the new ban on unescorted shoppers under 18 in the downtown mall after 5 p.m.

"I just laughed," the goalie said this week from Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he had a game.

Jim Wofford, MacArthur Center's general manager, said no one had mentioned the incident to him.

"Hopefully, they did it very cordially and very professionally," Wofford said.

Tokarski, who recently moved from western Canada, said he has no hard feelings, but the policy did catch him off-guard.

"I know I look totally young," he said, "but I never thought I'd get ID'd at a shopping mall."

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I'm glad to see

Submitted by dupont94 on Fri, 11/27/2009 at 3:25 pm.

I'm glad to see that security is enforcing the new policy. Now I and my family can shop in peace. Those who think it is STUPID can shop elsewhere along with the loud and obnoxious teenagers.