NHL-McPhee suspended for one month, fined $20,000
NEW YORK, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Washington Capitals general
manager George McPhee has been suspended for one month, without
pay, and fined $20,000 by the NHL stemming from a punch-up last
Saturday with Chicago Blackhawks head coach Lorne Molleken.
Under the terms of the suspension, McPhee has been barred
from attending any NHL games or practices, and may not conduct
business with any member of the Capitals' staff or with members
of other NHL clubs.
In addition, Washington head coach Ron Wilson has been
fined $5,000 and Chicago owner Bill Wirtz $3,000 for
inappropriate comments made to the media following the
incident.
The incident occurred after last Saturday's penalty-filled
exhibition game, won 3-1 by the Capitals, which included five
fights.
McPhee confronted Molleken after the game outside the
Chicago dressing room. McPhee grabbed Molleken, shook him and
landed a punch, giving the coach a black eye, according to
Chicago defenseman Brad Brown.
McPhee's face was cut and one arm of his suit was torn off
when he was surrounded and punched by Blackhawks players.
An investigation into the incident was made by NHL
vice-president of security Dennis Cunningham.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman conducted a hearing on
Wednesday with McPhee and Capitals' president Richard Patrick.
"In any incident such as this one, there are always varying
accounts of what transpired," Bettman said in a statement on
Thursday. "In this case, however, at least two things are
clear.
"First, Mr. McPhee made a deliberate decision to proceed to
the Chicago Blackhawks' dressing room area immediately
following the conclusion of the game with the intention of
confronting coach Molleken. Second, after a heated verbal
exchange, Mr. McPhee punched coach Molleken."
Bettman said both the decision to confront Molleken and the
physical contact that resulted "were clearly improper."
"No one, especially an NHL club executive or general
manager is free, even in the emotion of the moment, to engage
in conduct that is clearly inappropriate. Actions, such as
those engaged in here by Mr. McPhee, will not be tolerated in
the NHL."
McPhee will be eligible to return to duty on November 1.
REUTERS
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