The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has fined Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jeff Petry $5,000, the maximum under the CBA, for roughing Detroit Red Wings forward Jonatan Berggren during Tuesday’s pre-season game.
The incident occurred during the second period of play, Petry was issued a minor roughing call. The Red Wings would go on to win the game 6-2. The fine will be paid to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
After the game, Petry explained his side of the scenario to reporters. Here’s what Petry told Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Sports Tribune:
“I was just trying to punch/push the top of his shoulder, to kind of knock him off-balance,” he said. “It grazed off the top of his shoulder and went up. I wasn’t trying to punch him in the back of the head, or anything like that.”
Petry, 36, was acquired by the Penguins from the Montreal Canadiens at the NHL Draft this past summer. The deal saw Petry and forward Ryan Poehling being dealt to the Penguins in exchange for defenseman Mike Matheson and a 2023 fourth-round selection. This was Petry’s preseason debut for the Penguins.
Petry registered six goals and 21 assists last season for the Canadiens. The 34-year-old is suiting up for his 14th NHL season.
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