The DEL (German Ice Hockey League) might be on the verge of its longest suspension ever. National player Fabio Wagner is set to serve the league’s second-longest suspension after a brutal foul in a playoff quarter-final game, with the potential to set a new negative record.
The Red Bull Munich defenseman was banned from playing for 14 games by the DEL Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday evening. This severe penalty followed his check against the head of Ingolstadt’s Edwin Tropmann during Tuesday’s 7-2 game.
According to the DEL, only one longer suspension has been issued previously: in 2005, when then-national player Martin Reichel, playing for the Frankfurt Lions, physically attacked the main referee and a linesman during a 7-2 game against the Nuremberg Ice Tigers, leading to a 15-game ban. Should Munich advance to the final and their playoff series go the maximum distance, Wagner’s suspension could extend to 17 games, as the ruling states he is ineligible to play for the remainder of the playoffs.
Fabio Wagner Injures Tropmann: ‘Reckless and Without Tactical Purpose’
The Disciplinary Committee, chaired by former national player Alexander Barta, justified the drastic penalty by stating that Wagner made no attempt «to get to the puck,» that «the head and neck area was the primary point of impact of the check,» and that Tropmann «was injured and required hospital treatment.» The press release further stated, «The check was executed extremely recklessly and without any tactical purpose.»
Following the foul, Tropmann lost his helmet and remained unconscious on the ice after the impact. According to the club, the 20-year-old only regained consciousness on the way to the hospital. He sustained head and neck injuries and remained in the clinic for further examinations.