NHL Fines Devils' Dougie Hamilton For Second Embellishment Offense

The NHL fined New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton $2,000 for repeated embellishment this season.

Hamilton received a second citation for embellishment under Rule 64 of the NHL rulebook, which is designed to more seriously penalize players and teams who repeatedly dive and embellish to try to draw penalties.

NHL Hockey Operations tracks all games, flags embellishment penalties and plays on the ice that weren't penalized but deserved one and issues a citation once the department is convinced it warrants one.

Hamilton's citations this season came from a Nov. 4 game against the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey's 5-0 win against the New York Rangers on Dec. 23.

The second incident against the Rangers occurred during the second period when he and New York forward Brett Berard got tangled behind the play. Berard raised his stick and appeared to hook Hamilton, who fell to the ice. Berard received a minor penalty for hooking, while Hamilton received an unsportsmanlike conduct call.

If Hamilton continues to get flagged for embellishment or diving this season, he'll receive more fines. The next one would be $3,000, then $4,000 for a fourth citation and $5,000 for any citation afterward.

If the Devils receive five citations for embellishment, coach Sheldon Keefe will also start to get fined. That would start with a $2,000 fine, then a $3,000 fine for the sixth citation, $4,000 fine for the seventh instance and $5,000 for the eighth citation. The fined money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Hamilton has five goals and 20 assists for 25 points in 41 games this season. He's the third player to get fined for embellishment in 2024-25, following Edmonton Oilers right winger Jeff Skinner and Ottawa Senators center Josh Norris.

Related: NHL Fines Senators' Josh Norris For Second Embellishment Offense

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