PLAYER SAFETY ANNOUNCES SUSPENSIONS FOR 12/27/24

From The FPHL Department of Player Safety

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

Motor City Rockers Karageorgos,  SUSPENDED
Motor City Forward Sotirios Karageorgos has been suspended for One Game as a result from his actions during FPHL Game No. 150 in Fraser, MI on Friday, December 27th.  FPHL Director of Player Safety Dave Jackson stated,  " Mr. Karageorgos attempted to throw a punch over the lineman's head/shoulder when his opponent and the linesman thought that everything was over. After the linesman was struck he forcefully pushed the player away to address the contact and the player reacted by threatening the linesman.  While physicality is part of the game and linesmen sometimes have to take evasive action to protect not only the players but themselves as well, they should not be subject to threats from a player for any reason.  He then left the ice and smashed his stick which shattered everywhere and had an off-ice official ducking for cover. Mr. Karageorgos is suspended for ONE GAME."

Mississippi Sea Wolves Bartlett,  SUSPENDED
Mississippi Forward Ross Bartlett has been suspended for One Game as a result from his actions during FPHL Game No. 151 in Biloxi, MS on Friday, December 27th.  FPHL Director of Player Safety Dave Jackson stated,  " Mr. Bartlett, who had previously been arguing (along with his teammates) with the linesman, skated directly at the linesman immediately after puck drop. It can be said that he was executing a planned play however he had no other players near him but still managed to make contact with the official and his stick made incidental contact with the officials visor. There was zero acknowledgement of making contact or any show of regret by Mr. Bartlett. Making intentional contact, even if incidental, is prohibited. Mr. Bartlett is suspended for ONE (1) GAME."

Note: The Game Misconducts for Physical Abuse of an Official to Danbury Hat Tricks Isaac Embree & Watertown Wolves Justin Schmit from Game No. 149 in Danbury, CT on Friday, December 27th have been rescinded by the Director of Player Safety.  Dave Jackson stated, "I respect the linesmen entering this altercation as soon as one player went down, to protect that player. In hindsight, the player popped right back up and both players still had a lot of gas left in the tank. The linesmen could have retreated and allowed the combatants to tire themselves out. This does not meet the criteria for physical abuse of officials but the players should have recognized that the linesmen were engaged and that is the player's signal to stop. I believe a 10 min misconduct would have been more suited to this altercation. The Game Misconducts will be rescinded."

The FPHL is a Single-A Minor Professional hockey league operating in its 15th season during 2024-25.