Controversial player makes NHL return after 20-month absence

He served his time and now he’s back in the NHL

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Controversial player makes NHL return after 20-month absence

There was a new face last night in the Arizona Coyotes' lineup. Yes, the team is struggling and they turn to a controversial player to add some energy against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. 

Arizona added a little reinforcement in the lineup, when agitating winger Zac Rinaldo jumped on the ice for the first time since since Feb. 28, 2016. During his last contest with the Boston Bruins, the forward delivered an illegal hit to Tampa Bay Lightning's Cedric Paquette and was subsequently suspended for five games. 


Many thought it would be Rinaldo's final NHL game, as he spent all of last season with the AHL's Providence Bruins. However, he got another chance in the summer when he signed a deal with the Coyotes. Many expected Rinaldo to head back and stay in the minors, but he earned a spot in the roster. 

Rinaldo was scratched through Arizona's first five games of the season, finally - serving his five-game suspension. The ban now lifted, the Coyotes decided to bring in Rinaldo and they struggle with the season start. 

"A year and a half is like the longest five-game suspension in NHL history," Rinaldo told the media. "You can laugh about it, I laughed about it, but now it's not a laughing matter.

"I worked my (butt) off to be here and I'm going to stay here. I'm going to do whatever I can every day, every practice, and every game to stay here."

In last night's game, Rinaldo recorded just under 12 minutes of ice-time, but no points.

Source: NHL.com