NEW YORK (Reuters) - Vancouver Canucks forward Rick Rypien was suspended for six games by the National Hockey League on Friday, following an altercation with a fan during his team's 6-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.
Rypien's suspension is the longest imposed by the NHL for player-fan interaction since March 20, 1982 when Vancouver's Doug Halward was banned for seven games.
Since Rypien had already been suspended indefinitely before Friday's hearing, he will be eligible to play against the Detroit Red Wings on November 6, the NHL said in a statement.
In line with league policy, the Canucks were also fined $25,000.
"Prior to each season, all clubs and players are advised that under no circumstances are club personnel permitted to have physical contact with fans or enter, or attempt to enter, the stands," Commissioner Gary Bettman said.
"We hold NHL players to a high standard, and there simply is no excuse for conduct of this nature."
The Canucks forward had already been involved in a fight with Minnesota's Brad Staubitz in the first period of Tuesday's game and faced up to Staubitz again in the second before the two were separated by the linesmen.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Ken Ferris)
