McKinnon Suspended For High Hit On Boulier

The PWHL Player Safety Committee has handed down a one game suspension to Toronto Sceptres defender Rylind MacKinnon following a hit to Montreal's Amanda Boulier.

The incident occurred at 5:18 of the third period in Toronto’s game against Montréal on Dec. 21. MacKinnon was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct for an illegal check to the head on Montréal’s Amanda Boulier, following an automatic review by the on-ice officials and the PWHL Central Situation Room.

The hit resulted in an upper body injury to Boulier landing her on her on the long term injured reserve (LTIR) list, and forcing Montreal to sign defender Catherine Daoust to replace her.

The Player Safety Committee determined that the head was the main point of contact, and that MacKinnon continued her momentum after playing the puck. This is in violation of PWHL Rule 48.

The PWHL Player Safety Committee monitors all games and is responsible for providing independent review and recommendations on supplementary discipline. Chaired by Jayna Hefford, PWHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations, the committee also includes Cassie Campbell-Pascall, PWHL Special Advisor; Bill McCreary, a former NHL referee and Hockey Hall of Fame member; Mike Murphy, a long-time NHL executive and former VP of Hockey Operations; Matt McMahon, a member of the NHL’s Player Safety department.