The ECHL Department of Player Safety announced a series of disciplinary actions stemming from games played on April 5, 2025. South Carolina’s Justin Nachbaur, Cincinnati’s Justin Portillo, and Utah’s Aaron Aragon have each received suspensions and fines for their on-ice conduct.
Justin Nachbaur
South Carolina Stingrays forward Justin Nachbaur has been suspended for five games and fined an undisclosed amount following an incident in ECHL Game #987 against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Nachbaur was disciplined under Rule #70.10, which prohibits players from leaving the bench to join an altercation.
Nachbaur will miss games on April 6 at Greenville, April 11 and 12 at Norfolk, April 13 at Greenville, and South Carolina’s first game of the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs. In the 2024–25 regular season, Nachbaur has been a physical presence for the Stingrays, appearing in 47 games while recording 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points, along with 161 penalty minutes and a +23 rating.
Justin Portillo
Cincinnati Cyclones defenseman Justin Portillo has been suspended for three games and fined an undisclosed amount for delivering an illegal check to the head at 2:25 of the first period during ECHL Game #980 against the Toledo Walleye. The suspension falls under Rule #28 – Supplementary Discipline.
Portillo will be sidelined for Cincinnati’s games on April 6 at Fort Wayne and April 9 and 11 at Iowa. Through 18 games played this season, Portillo has not registered a point but has accumulated 28 penalty minutes and carries a -3 plus-minus rating.
Aaron Aragon
Utah Grizzlies forward Aaron Aragon has been suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount following a spearing incident late in the third period of ECHL Game #989 against the Tahoe Icemen. Aragon was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct at 19:40 of the third period and was suspended under Rule #28 – Supplementary Discipline.
He will miss Utah’s upcoming road game at Rapid City on April 9. In 51 games this season, Aragon has contributed 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points, while racking up 50 penalty minutes and a -26 rating.
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 are donated to the ECHL Player’s Hardship Fund, which provides financial assistance to players in need.
ITR 39: Conference Finals – Inside The Rink
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