Rangers Call N.H.L. Safety Chief ‘Unfit’ After Decision on Tom Wilson

A melee on the ice Monday led to more upheaval off it Tuesday as the Rangers called for the dismissal of the N.H.L.’s director of player safety in a scathing statement.

During a goal-mouth skirmish in the second period Monday, Washington wing Tom Wilson punched two Rangers forwards, Pavel Buchnevich and Artemi Panarin. Wilson first hit Buchnevich, and then Panarin tried to pull Wilson off Ryan Strome, another Ranger who had intervened. Wilson removed Panarin’s helmet and slammed him to the ice, then knocked him down a second time.

The league on Tuesday fined Wilson $5,000, the maximum allowable amount, but no suspension or additional discipline was handed out by the Department of Player Safety, which is overseen by George Parros, a former N.H.L. player who was known as a fighter.

“We view this as a dereliction of duty by N.H.L. Head of Player Safety, George Parros, and believe he is unfit to continue in his current role,” the Rangers said in a statement Tuesday, adding they were disappointed that Wilson had not been suspended “for his horrifying act of violence last night at Madison Square Garden.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/sports/hockey/nhl-wilson-panarin-rangers-capitals.html