The NHL Department of Player Safety’s season has officially begun.

Player Safety has handed out their first ruling of the regular season, issuing a $5,000 fine to Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse for interference.

 

 

The infraction came at the end of the first period of Wednesday’s game against Vancouver.  Canucks defenseman Kyle Burroughs moved the puck along the boards, where he was checked legally by Edmonton’s Evander Kane.  Nurse, skating behind the net, delivered a late hit to Burroughs.

Nurse was given a minor penalty for interference by referees Kelly Sutherland and Garrett Rank. Vancouver scored on the ensuing power play.

The Edmonton blueliner has been suspended twice: three games in 2016 for being the aggressor in an altercation, and one game during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs for a headbutt.