Florida Panthers forward Eric Selleck has been suspended two games by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, according to an announcement by the league on Wednesday afternoon.
Eric Selleck suspended two games for leaving bench to fight
Florida Panthers forward Eric Selleck has been suspended two games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.
USA TODAY Sports
Selleck was suspended for leaving the bench on a legal line change and then starting a fight with Carolina Hurricanes forward Kevin Westgarth. In the video explaining the suspension, it's clearly shown that Selleck left the bench with the sole intention of engaging Westgarth in a fight.
Brendan Shanahan noted in the video that Selleck made no attempt to locate where the puck was on the ice, instead opting to locate a rival player. This action violated league rule 70.2, which opens players who leave the bench to start a fight to discipline.
Selleck was already guaranteed a one-game suspension for starting a fight in the final five minutes of a game. However, the Department of Player Safety also decided to add an additional game for leaving the bench to start a fight.
The game was Selleck’s first in the NHL. He will forfeit $5,945.94 in salary, which will be donated to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
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