Hockey East Suspends BC Eagles D-Man Aram Minnetian One Game

It's not just the NHL's Department of Player Safety; now Hockey East appears to go lightly on a player. Why? I've been doing some digging. There are a few possible factors in this decision. 

Saturday, at the 1:35 mark of the second period, Boston College freshman defenseman Aram Minnetian was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for cross-checking. Call it what you want; it was a dangerous play. 

Today, Minnetian was given a one-game suspension for his actions. Looking at the video, it would appear to be a light suspension. 

AMESBURY, Mass. – Hockey East announced today that Boston College freshman defenseman Aram Minnetian (Woodcliff Lake, N.J.) has been suspended for one game stemming from an incident at 1:25 of the second period on Saturday, December 9 against Providence. Minnetian is ineligible to play Friday, January 12, against the Friars and is able to return to the Eagles' lineup on Saturday, January 13, at Providence.

Having seen the one angle that the broadcast showed, that might be light https://t.co/H3WVoLb2th pic.twitter.com/XbOk8Pd9yR

— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) December 11, 2023

There's a twist to this: Minnetian has a chance to make Team USA and play in the World Junior Championship. Because of his suspension, he might have to sit a game if he makes the team. Did Hockey East go lightly on him because of the possibility that he might be on Team USA? From the sounds, he has a good chance of making the team. 

Minnetian is a candidate for Team USA at the World Juniors. Notably, BC does not play any games between now and the WJC. If Minnetian makes USA, likely has to sit a game. An OHL suspension once cost Stefan Noesen a spot on Team USA, though that was a 10-gamer. https://t.co/Utd1tLcjWe pic.twitter.com/gxsfdNTcr4

— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 11, 2023

Here's what happened through the eyes of a BC hockey blog.

From BC Interupted: The second period opened with BC taking a major penalty of their own, with Aram Minnetian getting five minutes and a game misconduct for a taking a pretty nasty looking swing at a Providence player after a whistle behind the Friars’s net.

I am open to hearing why he was only given a one-game suspension.