Ex-NHL goalie suspended after throwing a water bottle at a ref in Swedish league
It is one of most difficult jobs in professional hockey, especially when a goalie crosses a line.
Kaskisuo, backup netminder of Leksands IF, held a 2-0 lead and allowed three goals to HV71. The 29-yearold was visibly upset afterward and hit one referee with his water bottle.
The veteran netminder was ejected from the contest and received a match penalty. He has also been suspended five games and fined 23,750 Swedish krona — the equivalent of $2,300 USD.
Kaskisuo will be forced to sit out Leksands’ final three regular-season games and its first two playoff matchups. But given that he is the club’s No. He may have played his last game in 2022-23, given that he is the club’s No. 2.
The SHL handed down its ruling on Friday, describing Kaskisuo’s actions as “fully deliberate and inappropriate.” The league’s disciplinary committee also issued a statement, explaining its ruling on the netminder’s supplemental discipline.
“All forms of improper body contact against a referee or other official must be punished with game misconduct on the ice (Rule 40.1) and reported to the disciplinary committee. The footage shows Kasimir Kaskisuo picking up his water bottle following the last whistle and throwing it at the referee who is a distance away, with his back facing Kaskisuo.
“The bottle hits the referee’s head. Kaskisuo is to be punished for physically abusing officials. He will also face a suspension as per the decision. Kaskisuo must also pay a fine in the amount stated in the decision.”
The 6-foot-3 goaltender, who is 6 feet 3 inches tall, shared his story after he was suspended. He said that he let his anger get the best of him, following some poor calls and a costly goal against. He was embarrassed by how he handled it immediately afterward.
Kaskisuo also apologised for his disrespect of the official he hit using his water bottle, but also his teammates as well as the Leksands organisation.
“After an obvious too many men on the ice and/or offside in the same situation, I let in a poor goal in an important loss, and my emotions and frustration took over,” Kaskisuo said, per Scouting the Refs. “As an athlete on the highest level, I should handle these things in another way. In this case I didn’t, and for that I’m very sorry and feel embarrassed about it. I apologize to the referee, my teammates, the organization, and the fans.”
The Vantaa, Finland native, has spent two seasons playing for Leksands IF. He had a 2.78 goals-against and a.904 save rate across 60 games. He also has a pair of shutouts. Both occurred in 2021-22.
Kaskisuo was undrafted but made his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 16, 2019. He scored six goals on 38 shots. He was also used by the Nashville Predators as a relief player in the following season. He faced three shots in 15:22 of ice-time.
Kaskisuo was chosen to the 2019-20 AHL All-Star Game. He had a 2.79 goals-against-average, and a.909 save percent in 27 games played with the Toronto Marlies.