DOPS SUSPENDS STORM’S ROSEHILL FOR 6 GAMES
Player - Jay Rosehill (Manchester Storm #37)
Game - Fife Flyers v Manchester Storm (03/01/2018)
Incident - Multiple:
Minor - Slashing
Major and Game Misconduct - Cross Checking
Game Misconduct - Abuse of Official
After reviewing the incident several times, and attempting to gain a conclusive reason why Jay Rosehill may have acted in the manner he did against the Fife Flyers, the Elite League Department of Player Safety can see no reason that can justify Jay Rosehill’s actions.
After a perfectly clean and legal body check behind the Manchester net delivered by opposing player James Isaacs (Fife Flyers #5), two different Manchester players, Linden Springer (Manchester Storm #27) and Rosehill (Manchester Storm #37), went after Isaacs.
The Elite League Department of Player Safety is firstly concerned by Manchester’s response to what was a legal body check, and their apparent willingness in going after an opposing player for no justifiable reason.
As the play develops further, Rosehill, having already made slashing and hooking attempts on Isaacs, ignores the puck and decides to use a more aggressive action on an opposing player.
What is most concerning about this action from Rosehill is that the opposing player that Rosehill ultimately endangers is not Isaacs, who was the player he was originally targeting, but another member of the Fife Flyers.
Rosehill makes aggressive contact with an unsuspecting opposing player, which suggests he is either not aware of which player he was originally going after, or which player he was targeting with this additional aggressive action.
This action also shows how out of line with the rules of the game the incident was.
Rosehill was immediately assessed a Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty for Cross Checking. The Elite League Department of Player Safety has upheld this call as the correct call on the ice.
Following this, Rosehill then makes a decision to address the Referee in an unfitting manner and receives a further Game Misconduct for Abuse of an Official.
The Elite League Department of Player Safety can see no justifiable reason for Rosehill to address the Referee after his previous actions, which led to the original penalty being called, and has upheld the Game Misconduct for Abuse of an Official as the correct call on the ice.
Following his ejection from the game, Rosehill then throws his stick to the ice before striking the rink boards as he exits the playing area.
This response from Rosehill is not something which should be tolerated in professional hockey.
To put the actions of Rosehill into further perspective, the Elite League Department of Player Safety wish to also make clear that it is important to understand Rosehill’s repeated actions this season which required supplementary discipline:
Edinburgh Capitals v Manchester Storm (15/10/17) - Match penalty for Checking to Head leading to a 2 game suspension.
Belfast Giants V Manchester Storm (19/11/17) - Major and Game Misconduct penalty for Roughing leading to a 1 game suspension.
Sheffield Steelers v Manchester Storm (30/12/17) - Requested review of an Interference penalty leading to a 1 game suspension.
In light of these past actions, the Elite League Department of Player Safety considers Jay Rosehill to be a repeat offender with regard to this latest incident.
Following Rosehill’s actions in abusing an on-ice official, throwing his stick and delivering a Cross Check deemed to recklessly endanger an opposition player, it is imperative that the suspension reflect the need for Rosehill to take some time to consider his ability to play hockey in a legal and meaningful manner in the EIHL.
The key points of this incident are:
* Jay Rosehill is considered to be a repeat offender
* Cross Checking an unsuspecting opponent in an aggressive manner
* Throwing a stick
* Unwarranted Abuse of an Official
Based on all of these factors, the Elite League Department of Player Safety has suspended Jay Rosehill for a total of 6 games.
The Elite League Department of Player Safety has also determined that any further actions by any Manchester Storm player similar to those of Rosehill against the Fife Flyers will also leave Manchester Storm Head Coach Ryan Finnerty liable to suspension for inability to control his players.
The Elite League Department of Player Safety does not believe the EIHL should tolerate this kind of behaviour by players, especially the Abuse of Official and throwing of a stick.
This has to be addressed with the coach and his ability to control his players. The onus is on Ryan Finnerty and his team to adhere to the EIHL’s standards, and not the other way around.
