VANCOUVER, B.C. — Vancouver enforcer Rick Rypien was suspended six games Friday for grabbing a fan during the Canucks’ loss to Minnesota this week.
Rypien was headed to the locker room Tuesday night after being assessed a double minor for roughing and 10-minute misconduct when he reached up and grabbed James Engquist, a fan applauding at the railing. Rypien was pulled away by teammate Manny Malhotra, and Eng- quist and his brother, Peter, were removed from the area.
The Canucks also were fined $25,000, as required by NHL policy.
“We hold NHL players to a high standard, and there simply is no excuse for conduct of this nature,” said commissioner Gary Bettman, who called Engquist and offered him dinner and some tickets.
Rypien will be eligible to return Nov. 6 against the Red Wings. He will not be paid during the suspension.
Engquist said he was disappointed by the length of Rypien’s suspension.
“This is Mr. Rypien’s career, this is his job, he’s being paid to represent the NHL, and they feel (taking) a two- week break off without pay and come back to work is satisfactory,” Engquist said. “But as far as the real world goes, that person would be held accountable as far as the law and just as a company in general. That person would probably be fired.”
Footnotes.
Sabres right wing Jason Pominville (concussion) missed his fifth game, while defenseman Shaone Morrisonn (groin) missed his fourth straight.
• Lightning forward Simon Gagne, who has been sick for the past couple of days, is day to day because of a stiff neck.
• Thrasher defenseman Zach Bogosian (shoulder) missed his fourth game in a row.
• Defenseman Anton Stralman returned to the Columbus lineup after missing two games with a strained shoulder.
