NHL fines Dallas Stars $100,000 for practice during holiday break

The NHL fined the Dallas Stars $100,000 on Monday, ruling that the team had held a disallowed practice on Thursday during the three-day holiday break.

According to Article 16.5 (b) of the collective bargaining agreement between the league and NHL Players' Association: "December 24, Christmas Day, and December 26 shall be off-days for all purposes, including travel, and no Club may request a Player's consent to practice on such days for any reason."

According to the Dallas Morning News, the practice was optional for the team's young players. Stars coach Pete DeBoer later clarified it to say it was "voluntary ice," not an optional practice, the publication said.

The Stars hosted Minnesota on Friday and the Wild had flown in that morning under the rule. Theoretically, the younger players skating could have given the Stars an advantage, though Minnesota rallied to win the game 3-2 in overtime.

The fine money will go to the NHL Foundation.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stars fined $100K for practice during holiday break