2026

Originally posted on Inside The Rink | By Karen Zehner | Last updated Jan 17, 2026 6:32 PM ET

The ECHL Department of Player Safety issued multiple rulings Saturday after reviewing several recent on-ice incidents, including discipline stemming from an Orlando game and an update to a previously issued suspension.

The league suspended Peter Laviolette of the Orlando Solar Bears for five games and fined him an undisclosed amount after he returned to the ice to join an altercation during Orlando’s home game against Idaho on January 16. As a result, Laviolette will miss games against Idaho on January 17, Jacksonville on January 19, Iowa on January 23, and a two-game set against Atlanta on January 25 and 26.

The Department of Player Safety also fined Kaleb Pearson of the Idaho Steelheads for his actions during the same matchup on January 16. The league assessed the fine under its supplementary discipline guidelines following a late-game incident.

In a separate ruling, the ECHL reviewed the suspension issued to Patrick Kyte of the Greensboro Gargoyles stemming from a boarding infraction in Greensboro’s game at South Carolina on January 4. While the league upheld the infraction, Ryan Crelin reduced the suspension from six games to four.

Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association, the league will direct all collected fines to the ECHL Player Hardship Fund.