PLAYER SAFETY ANNOUNCES FINES & SUSPENSIONS FOR 12/16/23

From The FPHL Department of Player Safety

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

Danbury Hat Tricks Cunningham, SUSPENDED 
Danbury forward Corey Cunningham has been suspended for Four games as a result from his actions during FPHL Game No. 97 in Elmira, NY on Saturday, December 16th.  FPHL Director of Player Safety Dave Jackson stated, “This is an incident that SHOULD NEVER happen at any level of hockey. One does not need to be a huge hockey fan to be aware of a recent accidental incident in which a young man lost his life by a skate blade. Intentionally kicking a player while wearing a skate might be the most dangerous and egregious action that a player could ever commit. In this particular incident, Mr. Cunningham was knocked to the ice and immediately delivered a full-force kick from his back that struck his opponent in the groin area. I think I can speak for everyone involved when I say that it was fortunate that a serious injury or worse did not occur. Mr. Cunningham will be suspended for FOUR (4) GAMES."

Watertown Wolves Seaman, SUSPENDED 
Watertown forward Dakota Seaman has been suspended for Two games as a result from his actions during FPHL Game No. 94 in Binghamton, NY on Saturday, December 16th.  FPHL Director of Player Safety Dave Jackson stated, "This incident had a little bit of everything. Mr. Seaman cross checked his opponent in the upper body, then cross checked him a second time in the side of the head. He followed that up with a slash, an attempted punch and broke away from the linesman as he was being escorted off the ice. Mr. Seaman is being Suspended for TWO (2) GAMES for the second cross check that was assessed as a match penalty for attempt to injure."

Watertown Wolves Leeson, SUSPENDED 
Watertown forward Tate Leeson has been suspended for Two games as a result from his actions during FPHL Game No. 94 in Binghamton, NY on Saturday, December 16th.  FPHL Director of Player Safety Dave Jackson stated, "Mr. Leeson's unprovoked punch to an unsuspecting opponent's face is a Match penalty for attempt to injure. For this and Mr. Leeson will be suspended for TWO (2) GAMES for attempt to injure."

Watertown Wolves Lord, SUSPENDED 
Watertown defenseman Trevor Lord has been suspended for One game as a result from his actions during FPHL Game No. 94 in Binghamton, NY on Saturday, December 16th.  FPHL Director of Player Safety Dave Jackson stated, "Mr. Lord went after a player who was unwilling and not looking for a fight. He grabbed him during the altercation and punched him twice before tackling him to the ice. Mr. Lord will be suspended for ONE (1) GAME for being the Aggressor. His actions were different than Mr. Tate's because his opponent knew or should have known that being in the middle of an altercation and being grabbed by an opponent might lead to further events. I'm not excusing Mr. Lord, I just don't feel that his actions were an attempt to injure."

Watertown Wolves Verbeek & Binghamton Black Bears Sherwood & Reynolds, FINED
Watertown Head Coach Brian Verbeek & Binghamton Head Coach Brant Sherwood as well as Assistant Coach Tom Reynolds have all been fined an undisclosed amount as a result from their actions during FPHL Game No.94 in Binghamton, NY on Saturday, December 16th.  FPHL Director of Player Safety Dave Jackson stated, "We cannot have coaches challenging and inciting players of the opposing team. As a coach, the league and the on-ice officials rely on you to bring down the temperature and control your own players. You need to set an example and cannot be getting penalties for inciting opposing players & coaches."

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