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Roenick gets five-game suspension NHL suspends Coyotes' center for slash on Amonte
Posted: Thursday October 14, 1999 07:38 PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- Phoenix Coyotes center Jeremy Roenick was suspended for five games by the NHL on Monday for an altercation involving a stick last week against Chicago. In Phoenix's 3-3 tie at Chicago on Oct. 8, Roenick received a match penalty for slashing Blackhawks right wing Tony Amonte at 2:25 of the third period. Amonte was struck in the face by Roenick's stick and needed stitches to close the wound. "Mr. Roenick was reckless with a swing of the stick, and an opponent was injured by this dangerous play," NHL executive vice president and director of hockey operations Colin Campbell said Monday. "As always, players are accountable for the consequences of actions with their sticks." Phoenix general manager Bobby Smith disagreed with the severity of the suspension. "Jeremy was guilty of a high-sticking infraction, there's no argument there," Smith said. "My disagreement with Colin Campbell is his feeling it was reckless. I thought it was careless. Most general managers think suspensions against their players are too harsh. This was harsh." Roenick already served one game of the suspension Sunday while awaiting the hearing with Campbell. He is eligible to return on Oct. 23 when the Coyotes play Washington. "We can't be overly concerned with J.R. being out of the lineup," Coyotes coach Bob Francis said following a 2-2 tie at Buffalo on Monday night. "We'd like to have him, but we can't use it as an excuse." Based on the league's collective bargaining agreement and his contract, Roenick will forfeit $104,166.67 of his salary during the suspension.
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