Story Summary
New Jersey Devils forward Evan Rodrigues has been fined $5,000, the maximum permitted under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for high-sticking Vancouver Canucks forward Marco Rossi.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced the sanction following the incident in New Jersey’s game against Vancouver on Saturday, 10 October. Rodrigues was assessed a double-minor for high-sticking at 19:50 of the second period.
Key Facts
- Evan Rodrigues was fined $5,000 for high-sticking Vancouver Canucks forward Marco Rossi.
- The $5,000 penalty is the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Rodrigues received a double-minor high-sticking penalty at 19:50 of the second period.
- The incident occurred during NHL Game No. 71 in New Jersey on Saturday, 10 October.
- The fine will be paid into the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
IHM Discussion
The on-ice penalty and subsequent fine make this a clear case of league discipline following a high-sticking infraction. Rodrigues was penalised during the game, then received the maximum financial sanction available under the CBA for the incident.
For New Jersey, the immediate record is straightforward: a double-minor was assessed in the second period and the league has now added a $5,000 fine.
Why It Matters
High-sticking penalties can create damaging four-minute defensive sequences, particularly when they arrive late in a period. In this case, the financial punishment also records the NHL’s review of an incident that had already been addressed by the officials during play.
The fine does not change the game penalty, but it reinforces the importance of stick control in contested situations. Rodrigues and the Devils will want to avoid putting opponents on extended power plays through preventable infractions.
Coach Mark Comment
A double-minor at 19:50 of the second period is particularly demanding because it can carry directly into the next period and disrupt a bench’s planned rhythm. The priority after any high-sticking call is to reset the penalty-killing rotation, manage match-ups and prevent the discipline issue from becoming a wider loss of structure.