ECHL: Nico Blachman Suspended 12 Games

The ECHL Department of Player Safety has suspended forward Nico Blachman for a total of 12 games. He is suspended five games for his actions in Sunday’s game vs Toledo Walleye. Blachman would throw Toledo’s Jalen Smereck into the boards at the 17:02 mark of the first period. He would be assessed a major for boarding, along with a game misconduct. Blachman would be suspended for seven additional games based on his previous history with the league. The 27-year-old forward was placed on waivers today by the Fort Wayne Komets, so he will begin his suspension the next time he joins an ECHL roster. This is his second suspension this season, after being suspended for five games in December. In four games with Fort Wayne this season, he has 38 PIMs. He began the season with the Florida Everblades but was released before playing a game with them.

The Aventura, Florida, native is in his sixth season in the ECHL as he’s spent time with the Florida Everblades, South Carolina Stingrays, Allen Americans, Savannah Ghost Pirates, Norfolk Admirals, Kalamazoo Wings, Adirondack Thunder, Iowa Heartlanders, and Fort Wayne Komets. Over the course of his 165 games, Blachman has put up 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points along with 826 PIMs. He would lead the ECHL in PIMs in 2023 and 2025. Blachman made his AHL debut last season, where he had 28 PIMs in three games with the Iowa Wild.

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