Vancouver enforcer Rick Rypien was suspended six games Friday for grabbing a fan during the Canucks' loss to Minnesota this week.
Rypien was headed to the locker room Tuesday night after being assessed a double minor for roughing and 10-minute misconduct when he reached up and grabbed James Engquist, a fan applauding at the railing. Rypien was pulled away by teammate Manny Malhotra, and Engquist and his brother, Peter, were removed from the area.
The Canucks also were fined $25,000, as required by NHL policy.
''Prior to each season, all clubs and players are advised that under no circumstances are club personnel permitted to have physical contact with fans, or enter, or attempt to enter the stands,'' Commissioner Gary Bettman said. ''We hold NHL players to a high standard, and there simply is no excuse for conduct of this nature.''
Rypien, who has nine goals and six assists in 113 career NHL games, will be eligible to return Nov. 6 against Detroit. He will not be paid during the suspension.
The last time a player was suspended for more than four games for making physical contact with a spectator was in March 1982, when Canucks defenseman Doug Halward was suspended seven games for an altercation with fans.
Rypien and Minnesota's Brad Staubitz, who fought in the first period, were about to square off midway through the second before being separated by the linesmen in front of the Wild bench. Rypien punched Staubitz while he was being restrained, then grabbed Engquist while entering the tunnel to the locker room.
Rypien is the cousin of former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien.
