The Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has announced that Montreal Victoire forward, Emma Dubois, has been suspended for one game following a hit on Fleet’s player, Sarah Keller.
The incident occurred during a game between the two teams on Saturday, January 15th. Dubois was given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit, which resulted in Keller being taken off the ice on a stretcher.
After reviewing the play, the PWHL determined that Dubois’ hit was a violation of the league’s rules and regulations. As a result, she has been suspended for one game and will not be eligible to play in the upcoming game against the Toronto Aeros.
In a statement, PWHL Commissioner, Karen Phibbs, stated that player safety is of the utmost importance and that the league takes any incidents of dangerous play very seriously. She also emphasized the need for players to respect the rules and play within the boundaries of fair and safe competition.
Dubois has issued a public apology for her actions and has expressed remorse for the harm caused to Keller. She has also stated that she will use this experience as a learning opportunity to improve her game and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
The Montreal Victoire organization has also released a statement, expressing their support for the league’s decision and their commitment to promoting a safe and respectful environment for all players.
The PWHL’s decision to suspend Dubois serves as a reminder to all players that dangerous play will not be tolerated and that the league will take appropriate action to ensure the safety of its players.
The game between Montreal Victoire and Fleet ended in a 3-3 tie. Keller has since been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
The PWHL has not released any further information regarding the incident and has stated that they consider the matter closed.
