Player with History of Suspensions Uses Guillotine Move to Take Out Goaltender

I've seen some pretty crazy things in the hockey world over the years, but this is downright nuts. A player in the Pacific Junior Hockey League, based in British Columbia, has been suspended indefinitely pending a review after choking out a goaltender during a game.

Last Thursday, during a game between the Richmond Sockeyes and North Vancouver Wolf Pack, Richmond's Eithan Grishin grabbed Wolf Pack goaltender Evan Paul and put him in a guillotine choke, something common in the UFC, until Paul collapsed to the ice. A linesman tried to separate them, but Grishin, 19 would not let go.


Grishin received a slashing minor, a match penalty for a blow to the head, a 10-minute misconduct, and a game misconduct. However, the Sockeyes have since confirmed that Grishin has been suspended indefinitely while the league reviews the play. The Wolf Pack say Paul is recovering at home and won't be playing for a while.


Grishin is no stranger to supplemental discipline. The PJHL has already suspended him twice this season. One of those suspensions was a total of 13 games - five for physical harassment of an official, three for his second match penalty of the season, two games for a third-man-in-fight game misconduct, and three games as a repeat offender. He also received a three game suspension for a match penalty back in September.

It will be very surprising if Grishin avoids a lengthy suspension for this incident. In fact, he may find himself looking for another league to play in. This borders on assault and has no place on the ice during a hockey game.