The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has issued its first suspension in league history, suspending Boston forward Taylor Wenczkowski one game for an illegal hit on Ottawa’s Amanda Boulier.

The incident took place at 2:28 of the third period of Boston’s game against Ottawa on January 24. Wenczkowski hit Boulier up high in the neutral zone moments after the Ottawa defender moved the puck. 


 

Wenczkowski was given a minor penalty for roughing on the play by referee David Elford and Brady Dewar-Beecroft.

“Player safety is a top priority for the PWHL,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHL SVP of Hockey Operations, and Chair of the PWHL Player Safety Committee. “We all recognize that our game is played at a fast pace and there is a high level of physicality. Overall, this style of play will continue to be encouraged in a safe way, within the rules of the game.”

“Our Player Safety Committee, in regular consultation with the PWHLPA, is dedicated to ensuring that there is consistent enforcement of the rules and constant vigilance to deliver supplemental discipline when warranted.”

While one game might not sound harsh, keep in mind that there are only 24 games in the PWHL season.  That equates to what would be a 3-4 game suspension in the 82-game NHL season.

More on the PWHL’s Safety Committee:

The PWHL Player Safety Committee monitors all games and is responsible for providing independent review and recommendations on supplementary discipline. Chaired by Hefford, the committee also includes Cassie Campbell-Pascall, PWHL Special Advisor; Katie Guay, a current NHL and AHL [officiating manager]; Mike Murphy, a long-time NHL executive and former VP of Hockey Operations; Matt McMahon, a member of the NHL’s Player Safety department.

Wenczkowski will miss Saturday’s game against Minnesota.

 

Boston defeated Ottawa 3-2.  Referees for the game were David Elford (#11) and Brandy Dewar-Beecroft (#33); linespersons were Justine Todd (#70) and Shawn Oliver (#56).