Former Edinburgh Capitals star Jeff Hutchins, now assistant coach to Fife Flyers, has been handed a seven-game ban.
Flyers’ coach Todd Dutiaume said the club have lost a valuable asset.
Ice hockey bosses confirmed that the decision of the Elite League’s Department of Player Safety (DOPS) followed an incident at the end of the 4-3 defeat in a league game in Nottingham on Saturday, October 26.
Sources indicated that it centred around an empty plastic water bottle kicked in frustration which flew into the crowd and hit a fan.
Normally, DOPS’ statements are detailed but they have said nothing to the public on why Hutchins, a former Dundee Stars and Edinburgh Capitals player, has received the heaviest ban of the season so far.
Coach Dutiaume said: “I realise that everybody has to take responsibility for their actions. The key word here is everybody.
“We have lost a valuable asset to our team. Jeff brings a lot to this club. I know he feels terrible about it and is also not able to talk about it.”
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Clan host Dundee (7pm) and Fife are at home to Cardiff Devils (7.15pm) with Stars hosting Devils on Sunday (5pm).
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