Suspension-RDP Hockey-Knights

2022-23 Season

October 24, 2022

Facts:

During the second period of an October 14, 2022, game against the University of Alberta, RDP’s Holden Knights (#74) received a 5-minute penalty for goaltender interference.

I have received a request from University of Alberta to review the play in question. U of A has forwarded a doctor’s note indicating that U of A player Daniel Moody has received a significant concussion and will be on a “long term concussion protocol.” In addition to the doctors note I have received video footage of the incident in question.

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Rule 7.5.5 of the ACAC Operating Code reads as follows:

7.5.5. Any incident where injury was done to the player’s head can be requested for review by that institution for further suspension without fee regardless of whether it was called or not. If not called, the institution must provide a doctor’s note with diagnosis of injury. That institution is required to provide the league with video evidence of the incident.

I have had the opportunity to review the submitted video footage, in which Mr. Knights skates towards the goalie and makes significant contact with Mr. Moody. In my opinion, the contact with the goalie could have been avoided as there was ample time to change his path and avoid contact.

I have also taken the opportunity to review the video footage with the ACAC Men’s Hockey Convenor, and the ACAC CEO.

My determination of the appropriate sanction begins with whether there was intent to injure. This is difficult to tell from the video footage, but Mr. Knights could have changed his direction but did not which led to a collision with Mr. Moody. The collision resulted in a concussion. Once again it is difficult to determine whether the concussion occurred when Mr. Knights contacted Mr. Moody or when he hit the ice. Regardless the injury occurred due to the collision.

In determining the length of Mr. Knights suspension, the following factors were taken into consideration:

1. The ACAC has made it clear that these types of hits will not be tolerated especially when it comes to goaltenders and that consequences need to be appropriate to discourage this type of behavior. 
2. The input received from the ACAC Men’s Hockey Convenor and the ACAC CEO. 
3. The length of suspension must be consistent with previous suspensions involving similar actions 
4. The nature of the incident 
5. The call by the official that goaltender interference did occur 
6. The doctors note supplied by U of A indicating that Mr. Moody will be under concussion protocol for an extended period.

Based on the above, Mr. Knights is hereby suspended for a total of three (3) games, to be served as follows:

• October 28, 2022, vs. Portage 
• October 29, 2022, vs. Portage 
• November 4, 2022, vs. Briercrest

The suspension imposed because of this incident will be considered should Mr. Knights commits future offences.

Sincerely,

Alan Rogan 
Acting ACAC Commissioner