ECHL Fines and Suspensions: Disciplinary Rulings from April 9

The ECHL has issued fines and suspensions following multiple incidents during games played on April 9, 2025. Players Rhett Parsons (Cincinnati Cyclones), Nathan Noel (Iowa Heartlanders), and Ayden MacDonald (Allen Americans) were all disciplined by the ECHL Department of Player Safety for violations including fighting, game misconducts, and boarding.

ECHL Fines and Suspensions – Rhett Parsons (Cincinnati Cyclones)

Defenseman Rhett Parsons has been suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount as part of the ECHL fines and suspensions announced following Game #1006 at Iowa. The incident occurred at the end of the second period, when Parsons engaged in a fight outside of regulation time—prompting a five-minute major for fighting and a game misconduct for “Fighting Other Than During Periods of the Game.” He also received earlier penalties for tripping and cross-checking.

Parsons will miss Cincinnati’s games at Iowa on April 11 and April 12. The Cyclones organization has also received an undisclosed fine.

Through 62 games in the 2024–25 season, Parsons has recorded five assists and 116 penalty minutes, with a -17 rating. His aggressive defensive style has made him a staple on the Cincinnati blue line, though his 1.87 penalty minutes per game reflect the same intensity that led to his latest disciplinary action.

ECHL Fines and Suspensions – Nathan Noel (Iowa Heartlanders)

Forward Nathan Noel has also received a two-game suspension and a fine for his role in the same post-period fight with Parsons. Noel was penalized at the 20:00 mark of the second period in Game #1006, receiving a five-minute major for fighting, a game misconduct for “Fighting Other Than During Periods of the Game,” and a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct. He was also called for goaltender interference earlier in the period.

Noel will be sidelined for Iowa’s games against Cincinnati on April 11 and 12. The Heartlanders organization has been fined as part of the ECHL fines and suspensions handed out on April 9.

In the 2024–25 season, Noel has played in 31 games split between the Indy Fuel and Iowa Heartlanders. While he went scoreless in 15 games with Indy, he has since tallied two goals and four assists in 16 games with Iowa. He has also recorded 97 penalty minutes with the Heartlanders, averaging over six penalty minutes per game — a number that aligns with his current suspension.

ECHL Fines and Suspensions – Ayden MacDonald (Allen Americans)

Forward Ayden MacDonald was suspended for one game and fined following a boarding penalty during Game #1003 against Tulsa. The play occurred at 8:55 of the first period and was reviewed under Rule #28 – Supplementary Discipline. MacDonald’s actions were part of a larger breakdown in Allen’s defensive play during their 8–1 home loss.

Despite the team’s struggles, MacDonald provided Allen’s only offense of the night, scoring a goal at 7:11 of the second period with assists from Matteo Duarte and Miko Matikka. He finished the game with one goal, two shots, a +1 rating, and the minor penalty for boarding.

Since joining the Allen Americans, MacDonald has added three goals and an assist in eight games, along with 12 penalty minutes and a +2 rating. Across all three teams, he has totaled nine goals, 14 assists, and 23 penalty minutes in 48 games this season.

ECHL Player’s Hardship Fund

As outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA), all player fines collected by the league are donated to the ECHL Player’s Hardship Fund, which supports players in times of financial need.