CHL suspends Pankiewicz for remainder of regular season

TEMPE, ARIZ. – The Central Hockey League announced on Tuesday that Colorado Eagles Assistant Coach Greg Pankewicz has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season (14 games) and assessed a fine for his actions during Saturday night’s home game against the Mississippi RiverKings. The Eagles led the RiverKings 4-1 entering the final frame and appeared to have the game well in hand when a slashing call on Colorado defenseman Kip Workman put the home team on the penalty kill. Less than a minute later, a fight between Colorado forward Dan Sullivan and Mississippi defenseman Russell Smith broke out . Pankewicz, 40, became enraged when linesman Chris Wilson tackled Eagles defenseman Joe Grimaldi, apparently in order to prevent an escalation of the fight, which was still in progress.  After Wilson skated a very agitated Grimaldi back to the Eagles bench, Pankewicz began arguing the case that the linesman used unreasonable force in bringing Grimaldi down. Wilson briefly explained his actions before skating off. 
Pankewicz, who was by now yelling at the top of his lungs, became even more enraged with the apparent brush off and began throwing items on the ice and then proceeded to peel off his suit jacket and launched it from the bench. His tie soon followed, then his shirt and finally his t-shirt. His shoes made it onto the ice as well. 
During the strip-down, linesman Seth Mukai attempted to talk Pankewicz down, but the former winger responded with an expletive-filled rant before exiting the bench and returning to the locker room to cool down.
The Eagles won the contest, 5-1, and are currently in second place in the league’s Turner (Northern) Conference with a 31-18-3 record and 65 points.
In its press release, the league made no mention of Wilson, who is reportedly not scheduled for any games this week. CHL Commissioner Duane Lewis expressed the league’s displeasure with Pankewicz’s display and the unwanted publicity it brings. “The Central Hockey League will not tolerate such behavior and found Mr. Pankewicz’s conduct to be completely unacceptable to our member clubs, the officiating staff and our fans,” Lewis said. An undisclosed fine was also levied on the Eagles organization.

A video of the tirade, which has gone viral on YouTube, Yahoo’s Puck Daddy and elsewhere, was even shown on ESPN’s SportsCenter, followed by a highlight reel of other infamous minor-pro coaching meltdowns.  Pankewicz was previously suspended by the league for three games, served during the Eagles’ three road games at Odessa after a brawl that left Jackalopes defenseman Dave Van Drunen with a broken jaw and nose. That incident, which took place during a pre-season exhibition last October, was also an embarrasment for the CHL, which was preparing for its 19th season with 18 member teams across 12 states, including five from the former International Hockey League. A native of Drayton Valley, Alberta, Pankewicz started 21 games in the National Hockey League, including 18 with the Calgary Flames during the 1998-99 season. He spent the last six of his 18-season pro career with the Eagles, joining the team in its inaugural season in 2003-04. He served as team captain for most of his time with the Eagles and led the team to two CHL Championships in 2005 and 2007. Pankewicz announced his retirement after the 2008-09 season and took over the Assistant Coach position shortly thereafter. Neither Pankewicz or the Eagles organization have commented thus far on Saturday night’s incident. Contact the writer/photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com