PLAYER SAFETY ANNOUNCES FINES & SUSPENSIONS FOR 11/17/23

From The FPHL Department of Player Safety

Binghamton, NY – The FPHL Department of Player Safety today have announced the following fines and suspension.

Baton Rouge Zydeco Hippolyte-Smith, SUSPENDED 
Baton Rouge forward Noah Hippolyte-Smith has been suspended for One game as a result from his actions during FPHL Game No. 44 in Baton Rouge, LA on Friday, November 17th.  FPHL Director of Player Safety Dave Jackson stated, “This play could be called Cross-Checking, Boarding or Checking from Behind. Either way, the onus is on the player making the hit. I don't believe that Mr. Hippolyte-Smith was malicious but his actions were reckless. He knew or should have known that his opponent was in a vulnerable position in a dangerous area of the ice. The onus is on the hitting player to make sure that his opponent is not projected violently, face-first into the boards. Mr. Hippolyte-Smith will be suspended for ONE (1) GAME"

Blue Ridge Bobcats Wells, SUSPENDED
Blue Ridge Bobcats Defenseman Tristin Wells has been suspended for One game as a result from his actions during FPHL Game No. 45 in Winston-Salem on Friday, November 17th.  FPHL Director of Player Safety Dave Jackson stated, "Mr. Wells attempts to engage his opponent on a neutral zone face off. It's clear that his opponent wants nothing to do with him. The referee intervenes and issues a verbal warning. As soon as the puck is dropped, Mr. Wells delivers a handful of crosschecks to his opponent who still refuses to engage with him. Mr. Wells then drops his gloves and delivers multiple punches to an unwilling combatant. This is a textbook example of being an AGGRESSOR. Mr. Wells will be suspended for ONE (1) GAME"

Blue Ridge Bobcats Maguire, SUSPENDED
Blue Ridge Bobcats Defenseman Kolton Maguire has been suspended for One game as a result from his actions during FPHL Game No. 45 in Winston-Salem on Friday, November 17th.  FPHL Director of Player Safety Dave Jackson stated, "At the conclusion of an altercation where several penalties were handed out, the linesmen attempted to escort Mr. Maguire to the penalty box. He refused to leave the scene and a second linesman had to intervene. When they got him to the box, he refused to enter and threw a punch over the linesman hitting an opponent in the head. This earned him an ejection and as the linesman attempted to escort him off the ice, he delivered two more punches to a different opponent. The linesman then had to wrestle with him in order to get him off the ice. This is not acceptable, it puts the officials safety at risk and also that of his opponents. Once a player is being restrained and warned by an official, it is never acceptable to defy them in this manner. Mr. Maguire will be suspended ONE (1) GAME for resisting a linesman in the course of performing his duties"

Blue Ridge Bobcats Pullicino, FINED
Blue Ridge Assistant Coach Anthony Pullicino has been fined an undisclosed amount as a result from his actions during FPHL Game No.45 in Winston-Salem on Friday, November 17th.  FPHL Director of Player Safety Dave Jackson stated, "Based on video and the referees reports, Ass't coach Anthony Pullicino will be fined for verbal abuse of the officials. This behavior and language is not acceptable and any repeat offenses will see the fine amount rise progressively."

The FPHL is a Single-A Minor Professional hockey league operating in its 14th season during 2023-24.