The part of Hockey every player hates…SUSPENSIONS!

Referees should not (and probably will not) speculate on the length of suspensions. Coaches should consult their managers manua. In Ontario (specifically the OHF) we are blessed with a minimum suspension list. This list conatains all the suspensions possible for a player or team official to get. However some leagues have modified the suspensions to make some suspensions more severe than others. Here are some things to keep in mind when suspensions are assessed:

• Misconducts usually noted as an M followed by two numbers (e.g. M22,M20…) don’t incurr additional games. Unless it is their second misconduct in the same game (which should be noted with GM26).
• Any Game Misconduct has a suspension associated with it. They are usually noted much like Misconducts except that it is “GM” followed by two number (e.g. GM50). However there are two suspensions that occur thay may or may not be noted with the GM coding they are Instigator and Aggressor noted INS or INS36 and AGG or AGG37 respectivly.
• Gross Misconducts and Match Penalties also have suspensions associated with them. However it is not unusual for the league to assess additional games, if the player is a habitual offender, or the incident was so hanous that it requires additional games.
• Game Ejections (GE56 in the OHF) do not have additional games assoiciated with them.

Finally if there is every any doubt as to if the player is suspended or not. It is best to sit the player out and wait to hear from the league office as to the players officials status. Remember if the player is to play the game may be forfited if ineligble and the player and coach suspended. Don’t take the chance.