BREAKING NEWS: Islanders AHL Player Suspended 10 Games for Physical Abuse of Official During April 5 Incident
In a serious disciplinary decision that has garnered attention across the hockey world, the American Hockey League (AHL) announced on Wednesday that an Islanders prospect has been suspended for 10 games following an incident of “physical abuse of an official” during a game played on April 5.
The player, whose name has not been officially released by the league at this time pending further review, was involved in a confrontation late in the third period of the Bridgeport Islanders’ matchup against the Hartford Wolf Pack. According to league sources and video evidence reviewed during the investigation, the player made “intentional and aggressive physical contact” with an on-ice official following a disputed call near the boards.
The AHL released a brief statement confirming the suspension:
“A Bridgeport Islanders player has been suspended for 10 games as a result of physical abuse of an official, as defined under AHL Rule 40. The incident occurred during the game on April 5 against the Hartford Wolf Pack. The suspension takes effect immediately.”
Rule 40 of the AHL rulebook defines “physical abuse of officials” as any deliberate physical contact made by a player with a referee or linesman in a manner deemed aggressive or inappropriate. Depending on the severity and intent, suspensions under this rule can range from a minimum of three games to a minimum of 20. In this case, the league settled on a 10-game ban, suggesting the incident was considered serious, but not at the most extreme level.
The Bridgeport Islanders, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Islanders, issued a statement following the announcement:
“We respect the AHL’s decision and take these matters very seriously. While we support our players, we also understand the importance of upholding the integrity of the game and the safety of all involved. We will not be providing further comment at this time.”
Sources within the organization indicated that the player involved has expressed remorse and is expected to issue a personal statement later this week. He will also reportedly undergo mandatory counseling and league-mandated behavioral training before becoming eligible to return to play.
The incident has sparked renewed discussion around respect for officials in professional hockey. League officials and referees’ associations have praised the AHL for its swift response, emphasizing the importance of player accountability.
“It’s never acceptable for a player to put their hands on an official in any context,” said a representative from the Professional Hockey Officials Association. “This sends a clear message that such actions won’t be tolerated at any level of the sport.”
The suspension will sideline the player for the remainder of the regular season and could impact his standing with the Islanders’ organization going forward. With Bridgeport out of playoff contention, the earliest possible return would be the start of the 2025–26 AHL season.
This story is developing, and further updates are expected as additional details become available.