January 29, 2009
The United States Hockey League today announced that Corey Tropp, added this week by the Sioux Falls Stampede, will be suspended for at least the next two Stampede games, pending further investigation by the league into the incident that occurred last weekend while he was a member of the Michigan State University hockey team.
Tropp and a teammate were suspended for the rest of Michigan State's season earlier this week. In the game, Tropp received two game misconduct penalties in the final minute of the Spartans' loss to Michigan. Tropp swung his stick and made contact with the neck area of a Michigan player that had already been thrown to the ice.
"We are as concerned as everyone in the hockey community that the on-ice actions of Mr. Tropp be recognized as fundamentally unacceptable to the game of hockey at any level," said Commissioner Skip Prince. "We have spoken with officials at both the CCHA and Michigan State to understand better the circumstances of the incident in Ann Arbor last Saturday evening. We believe it is only fair to meet with Mr. Tropp as well. Given the timing of this matter, that hearing will not occur until after this weekend's USHL schedule has been completed. The determination as to what further sanctions, if any, are appropriate will be concluded prior to the re-commencement of the USHL season after our All-Star break."
Prince further noted, "We note that this is a case of first impression for the USHL – that is, we've not had to address the question of a player joining our league following a suspension at the NCAA level. There is nothing in our rules or regulations regarding the matter, so was both well within the rights of the Sioux Falls Stampede, and appropriate, for them to add Mr. Tropp to their roster pending the League's decision as to appropriate suspension. We're all trying to do the right thing here."
Prince asked that further questions be deferred until the League's procedure is concluded next week.
The USHL is celebrating its 30th season of junior hockey in 2008-09. With over 140 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 16 NHL Draft picks playing in the league, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.ushl.com.
