Rink misbehavior alleged in Saugus

SAUGUS – Daniel Maniff, manager of Kasabuski Bros. Rink in Saugus, has banned Saugus Youth Hockey Vice President Steve Worthley after an argument at the rink on Friday.Maniff said Worthley was “verbally assaulting” people at the rink, so he called police to have him removed.?He?s not allowed in the rink anymore,” said Maniff. “He caused a disturbance and his outburst and bad behavior won?t be tolerated. He was swearing in front of the kids so the police were called to have him removed.”Worthley, however, called the incident “bizarre” and said he has no idea why he was banned.?I?m still scratching my head over it,” said Worthley. “To me this was a clear retaliation for whatever is going on between the town and the rink. I tried to get clarification on what I said. I still don?t know what I said or did. I never raised my voice and I never swore. I never acted in an unprofessional manner.”According to police reports, officers responded to Kasabuski Rink at around 7 p.m. on Friday after Maniff called and said Worthley was “creating a problem.” In the report, officers found there was a verbal argument and that peace had been restored. Worthley agreed to leave the rink and was allowed to return later to pick up his son, said the report.Worthley said the incident started when a woman at the rink complained that some of the players “smelled and stunk,” during a father-son game.?It was a very nice evening and when I came out into the lobby to take my skates off, parents and kids came over and said that a lady had yelled at them that they smelled and stunk and they?re not supposed to be out there,” said Worthley.Worthley said that a pro shop worker started accusing him of “not following the rules.”?I told him to mind his business,” said Worthley. “Then Dan Maniff came running over and said, ?You?re banned from the rink,? and he called the cops saying that I made threats.”Maniff said police trespassed Worthley from the rink, but Lt. Ronald Giorgetti said there is no trespass notice on file through the police. However, he noted that Maniff could still deny him entry since it?s a private business.The Town of Saugus and the managers of Kasabuski Rink have been in a legal battle for more than a year after the Board of Selectmen voted in July 2010 to evict Maniff and co-manager John Curley for breaching the terms of their lease. Maniff and Curley counter-sued in February 2011 to stay at the rink.Scott Crabtree, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said litigation is ongoing.?It?s too bad,” said Crabtree of Friday?s incident. “I think it just escalates the issues down there.”Worthley said it was “very clear to him” that Maniff was “retaliating” against him for the legal troubles. Maniff, who acknowledged the issues between the rink and the town, said Worthley?s ban won?t affect Saugus Youth Hockey.?It?s directly him,” said Maniff. “Unfortunately, he represents Saugus Youth Hockey as the Vice President, which is totally embarrassing for Saugus Youth Hockey. Beyond that, it?s not going to affect their ice time or our relationship.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].