Yorkton Terriers forward Greg Mulhall has been suspended 25 games by the SJHL, after a hit on Melville Millionaires goalie Berk Berkeliev on Saturday night.
The league announced the suspension in a tweet on Monday, citing the reason as “match/attempt to injure.” Mulhall was given a two minute roughing penalty and a 10-minute misconduct in the game following the hit.
This is the longest suspension the SJHL has handed out since it started posting its disciplinary reports online for the 2013-2014 season.
SJHL president, Bill Chow, said he hopes this suspension sends a message to the rest of the league about these types of hits.
“We have to make sure that other players are very much aware of the fact that these situations are not going to be tolerated,” Chow said.
Millionaires head coach Kyle Adams spoke out about the contentious hit on Monday.
“That's probably one of the dirtiest plays I’ve ever seen as a player and as a coach. That's the kind of stuff we need to get out of the game,” Adams said.
In a tweet, Melville said Berk was taken to hospital following the hit, but was released on Sunday morning.
***Update***
— Melville Millionaires (@Milshockey) September 15, 2019
Berk has been released from the hospital. The Melville Millionaire organization and Berk, thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers
Adams said Berkeliev is dealing with some serious injuries that could put his season in jeopardy.
“Eight to 10 stitches on his face and upper lip, five on the back of his head, missing teeth and a severe concussion,” said Adams.
After the punishment was announced on Monday, Terriers coach and general manager, Mat Hehr said Mulhall regrets his actions from Saturday night.
[The] goalie came out and played the puck, and I’d say a second after he played it our player went out and hit the goalie which obviously he deeply regrets and was punished pretty severely for it,” said Hehr. “We have to be here to support him. He is a 19 year old kid who I think deeply regrets the situation.”
The back half of the season opening home and home series in Melville was a rough one, finishing with 43 penalties for 228 minutes between the two teams.
The two teams play each other six more times this season, with the next meeting coming up on October 5.
