Dallas Stars
Stars Fined by NHL for Practicing During Christmas Break
The Dallas Stars have been fined by the NHL for violating the CBA agreement when they held a practice over a mandated holiday break.
The NHL has fined the Dallas Stars $100,000 for violating the CBA agreement by allowing the team to practice during the Christmas break. TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger reported this early Sunday morning. At this time, the amount is unknown, but the report is that the team will be fined.
According to the CBA, Article 16.5 (b): “December 24, Christmas Day, and December 26 shall be off-days for all purposes, including travel, and no Club may request a Player’s consent to practice on such days for any reason.”
NHL Hands Out Fine to the Stars
As mentioned before, the amount is unknown at this time. However, looking back at previous fines handed out for similar violations, in 2022, the Toronto Maple Leafs were fined $100,000 for traveling to St. Louis on Dec. 26. In 2015, the Philadelphia Flyers were fined for flying to Nashville earlier than they were allowed.
The Stars’ head coach, Pete DeBoer, met with reporters on Friday morning and spoke about the practice:
“I was at the rink yesterday. We had an optional, and of course, the young guys all show up for the optional like, you know, they’re supposed to do.”
The NHL confirmed to The Athletic that the league was looking into it on Saturday morning: “The team is conducting an internal investigation into the matter and is fully cooperating with the NHL.”
DeBoer spoke with the media again after revealing that he was at the rink and had this to say.
“Yeah, voluntary ice,” DeBoer said. “I’m assuming if the league’s looking into it, I made a mistake somewhere there.”
To make matters worse, Michael Russo of The Athletic reported that the NHL sent out a memo on Dec. 23 reminding every NHL team of the agreement in the CBA. However, the Stars still had an optional skate on Dec. 26.
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