NCAA player suspended 4 games for extremely dangerous hit

The college hockey world is buzzing after a brutal incident from Halloween night left a player hospitalized and a freshman facing serious disciplinary action. What should have been a regular CCHA matchup between Lake Superior State and Minnesota State turned ugly in a hurry, and the fallout is raising questions about whether the punishment actually fits the crime.

The CCHA announced on Wednesday that Lake Superior State freshman Raoul Boilard has been hit with a four-game suspension for delivering a check from behind during the Oct. 31 contest against Minnesota State. The play occurred at 19:01 of the second period, and the consequences were immediate and severe for the player on the receiving end.

What Happened and Who's Involved

Minnesota State junior defenseman Sam Court took the brunt of the hit, falling hard into the boards after Boilard's check from behind. Court was transported to a hospital following the incident, and here's the part that really makes your stomach turn: as of Wednesday afternoon, he still had not been released. His family has not provided any additional details about his condition, which is never a great sign.

Court, a 22-year-old from Winnipeg, had been having a solid start to the season after transferring from Arizona State. He had put up four points in eight games this year. Now, instead of contributing on the ice, he's lying in a hospital bed because of a completely reckless play.

Boilard, for his part, is no unknown commodity. The Quebec native was a fourth-round pick of the New York Rangers in the 2024 NHL Draft and played for Cape Breton in the QMJHL before heading to Lake Superior State. You'd think a player with that kind of pedigree would know better than to deliver a check from behind, one of the most universally condemned plays in hockey at every level.

The CCHA's official statement noted that Boilard's actions were "inconsistent with the CCHA's standards for player conduct, sportsmanship, and player safety." The suspension was determined by the league's Director of Officiating in conjunction with the Commissioner.

Was Four Games Enough?

This is where things get spicy. Boilard's suspension covers the next four NCAA contests, which come against Michigan Tech and Bemidji State. He'll be eligible to return on Dec. 4. But there's an interesting wrinkle here: Lake Superior State hosts Maryville twice this week, and since those aren't CCHA games, Boilard's suspension doesn't officially kick in until next weekend. That technicality alone has people frustrated.

The reaction online has been swift and largely one-sided. Fans and observers have called the four-game suspension embarrassing given the severity of Court's injuries and the intentional nature of the play. Some have gone as far as saying Boilard should have been suspended for the entire season.

And honestly? It's hard to argue with that sentiment. When a player is still hospitalized days after a hit, four games feels like a slap on the wrist. The CCHA's statement about being "committed to eliminating dangerous and unnecessary contact" rings a little hollow when the actual punishment doesn't seem to match the gravity of the situation.

All eyes will be on Sam Court's recovery in the coming days and weeks. For Boilard, this is a moment that could define how he's viewed going forward in his career, both at the college level and as an NHL prospect. Four games will come and go quickly, but the consequences of that hit could linger for a very long time.