Former NHLer Faces Lengthy Suspension After Appearing To Kick Player In The Neck

Former NHLer Martin Frk was given a five-game suspension in the Swiss 'National League' (NL) in a game for Rapperswil-Jona after appearing to lift his skate towards the neck of Lausanne's Lawrence Pilut, nearly hitting him. Pilut, also a former NHLer, was uninjured, and remained in the game.

Along with the five-game suspension, Frk was also given a fine of $7,760 Swiss Francs (CHF), equivalent to just over $9K USD, according to a statement from the NL.

Frk, a Detroit Red Wings 2nd round draft pick in 2013, is in his first season in Switzerland, having first joined SC Bern, before leaving for Rapperswil-Jona in November. In the NHL, Frk has 121 career games in six seasons with Carolina, Detroit & Los Angeles.

Pilut, who is also in his first year in Switzerland, has 63 career games for the Buffalo Sabres, first in 2018-2020, and then in 2022-23 after a 2 year stint in the KHL. Both Frk and Pilut spent last season in the AHL.

The incident comes less than two months after former NHLer Adam Johnson died in an EIHL game in October after having his neck cut from an opponent's skate, causing him to die shortly after in hospital. South Yorkshire Police made an arrest in his death, the unnamed individual later released on bail, with police not conforming the identity of the accused.

Multiple leagues, including the CHL, mandated neck guard protection for all 3 leagues, the OHL, WHL & QMJHL. A small few NHLers have begun to wear neck protectors, with the league in talks with the NHLPA on a potential outline for a mandate.

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