Utah's Kotsopoulos Suspended Nine Games, Fined

November 5, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release

PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL announced that it has suspended Utah left wing Evan Kotsopoulos for nine games and fined him an undisclosed amount as a result of his actions in ECHL Game #73 at Victoria on Nov. 1.

Kotsopoulos was assessed a match penalty under Rule 49.3 Kicking at 9:32 of the second period. Sean O'Connor of Victoria was assessed a major penalty for fighting and a game misconduct under Rule 47.2 Aggressor during the same play.

"After reviewing additional video footage and pictures of this incident we have concluded that there was no intent by Mr. Kotsopoulos to injure Mr. O'Connor," said ECHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Rod Pasma. "However, Mr. Kotsopoulos should have been more in control of his skates while he was in a defensive position on the ice. Players may not use their skates as a protective measure and we are fortunate there was no serious injury as a result of this incident."

The ECHL will not issue further comment.

Kotsopoulos is suspended and fined under Rule 29 Supplemental Discipline.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players' Association, player fines collected by the ECHL are given to the PHPA for its ECHL Player's Hardship Fund.

Kotsopoulos will miss Utah's games vs. Ontario (Nov. 5), vs. Ontario (Nov. 7), vs. Ontario (Nov. 8), at Alaska (Nov. 14), at Alaska (Nov. 15), at Alaska (Nov. 16), vs. Las Vegas (Nov. 21), vs. Las Vegas (Nov. 22) and vs. Victoria (Nov. 26).

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