Selleck suspended one game for leaving bench

NEW YORK -- Florida Panthers forward Eric Selleck has been suspended for one game for leaving the bench on a legal line change for the purpose of starting a fight with Carolina Hurricanes forward Kevin Westgarth during NHL Game No. 431 in Carolina on Tuesday, March 19, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 17:02 of the third period. Selleck was assessed a two-minute minor for instigating plus a five-minute major for fighting and game misconduct under Rule 46.12 (Instigator in Final Five Minutes of Regulation Time [or Anytime in Overtime]) and will serve the automatic one-game suspension in addition to the one-game sanction outlined above.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Selleck will forfeit $5,945.94. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

For a full explanation of the Department of Player Safety's decision, complete with video, please click on the following link: http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=60&id=224636.