Story Summary
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson has received a $5,000 fine, the maximum permitted under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for roughing Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced the discipline after the incident in Montreal’s pre-season game against Ottawa on Saturday, 26 September. Matheson was assessed a minor penalty for roughing at 10:43 of the second period.
Key Facts
- Mike Matheson was fined $5,000 for roughing Ridly Greig.
- The fine is the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- The incident occurred at 10:43 of the second period of Montreal’s pre-season game against Ottawa.
- Matheson received a minor penalty for roughing on the play.
- The fine will be directed to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
IHM Discussion
The punishment is a financial sanction rather than a suspension, leaving Matheson available following the pre-season incident. The league identified the infraction as roughing and imposed the highest fine available under the agreement for this type of discipline.
For Montreal, the immediate point is simply that the matter has been dealt with through the Department of Player Safety’s fine process. Greig was the Ottawa player involved in the incident.
Why It Matters
Matheson is a defenceman for the Canadiens, and the ruling formally closes the league’s disciplinary response to the second-period penalty. The maximum fine also underlines that the league viewed the play as warranting supplementary discipline beyond the on-ice minor.
Coach Mark Comment
A pre-season penalty can quickly become more costly when contact escalates after the whistle or away from the puck. For a defenceman, maintaining composure in those moments protects both the team’s numerical situation and his own availability; in this case, the league added a maximum financial penalty to the on-ice minor.