American forward forced to leave game due to major mistake from coaching staff
Photo credit: X
A very strange scene unfolded today during the first game of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup as American forward Sam Kappell had to leave the game early for a technical violation.
No, Kappell did not earn a penalty from the bench. He did not get a game misconduct or any other penalty that would see a player get ejected from the game. In fact, he was forced to leave not because of anything he did, but because his coaching staff messed up. Apparently, he was not listed on the roster before the game started.
Team USA's Sam Kappell was forced to leave his first game at the U18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the third period after it was determined he was left off the game sheet. 😳
He was involved in the game and on the bench for over 45 minutes until his absence on the game sheet was noticed.
He was involved in the game and on the bench for over 45 minutes until his absence on the game sheet was noticed.
The unusual part of this is that Kappell still participated in the game! As it turns out, no one seemed to notice that he was not on the roster until nearly half way through the 3rd period. As a result, Kappell got plenty of ice time in the contest before he hit the locker room early.
Team USA forward Sam Kappell has left the game in the third period after it was determined he was not included on the United States game sheet.
One fan was kind enough to share the official lineup card for the game on X. Sure enough, number 11 in white, Sam Kappell, was not listed for team USA.
Typically, such an egregious rules violation would result in the violating team being forced to forfeit the match. However, the Hlinka Gretzky cup is more of a friendly tournament, designed to give scouts an early look at the upcoming draft class. As a result, the Americans were allowed to continue the match, but they lost anyway by a score of 2-1. Puck don't lie, right?
I doubt they'd make a team forfeit in the Hlinka but otherwise you'd think that would have to be the result
| POLL | ||
5 AOUT | 70 ANSWERS American forward forced to leave game due to major mistake from coaching staff Have you ever seen a player forced to leave a hockey game early because their name was not reported on the roster beforehand? | ||
| Yes | 23 | 32.9 % |
| No | 47 | 67.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
Latest 10 stories
