Following last weekend’s action, the England Ice Hockey Department of Player Safety (DOPS) have issued the following sanctions:

• Samuel Warnock (Blackburn Hawks) | 2 game suspension – Kneeing
  • Additional comments: Extended left leg out and made knee-to-knee contact with opponent.
• Tyler Nixon (Solihull Barons) | 1 game suspension – Spearing
  • Additional comments: Contact made to abdomen area.
• Erin Roche (MK Falcons) | 1 game suspension – Checking from behind
  • Additional comments: Excessive force used to the back of an opponent who was not expecting contact. Player travelled a considerable distance to deliver the check.
• Lucas Dowdle (Billingham Stars) | 2 game suspension – Checking from behind
  • Additional comments: Opponent was unaware of the hit and in a vulnerable position. The check drove the player dangerously forward, resulting in his upper body an/or head going into the plexiglass/boards, recklessly endangering the opponent.
• Jason Warren (Swindon Wildcats 2) | 2 game suspension – Spearing
  • Additional comments: Upwards motion of stick, made contact with the opponent’s groin area, causing reckless endangerment.
• Luke Smital (Slough Jets) | 2 game suspension – Checking from behind
  • Additional comments: Opponent was unaware of hit and in a vulnerable position. Check was delivered through the numbers, recklessly endangering the opponent.
• Callum Wells (Chelmsford Chieftains) | 4 game suspension – 3 games for dangerous actions and 1 game for exceeding 10 penalty points.

DOPS Notice of Clarification

Following the recent suspension of Hazel Wilson of Sheffield, concerns have arisen due to several social media posts about the incident.

Some of these posts have unfortunately resulted in negative and abusive commentary either publicly or directly sent to the player. While it is not possible for us to control what is posted online, we believe it is important to provide clear communication to address any misunderstandings for the benefit of everyone involved.

Subsequent to the decision, DOPS has viewed video footage of the incident in order to better explain what occurred. The footage provides a clearer view of the mechanics of the play.

It shows that the action was not a “two-handed stick swing” as described in the original public notification. Instead, it was a failed stick-lift attempt in which the stick blade rose and made contact with the head and/or neck area of an opponent who was already on the ice.

This action was considered to have recklessly endangered an opponent in a particularly vulnerable position, and is consistent with the original decision to impose a suspension, which remains unchanged.

We hope that this clarification helps explain the circumstances of the incident and provides a clearer understanding of what transpired.

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