The Professional Women's Hockey League has handed down a significant suspension following a controversial and dangerous play during its holiday season showcase. Seattle Torrent defender Aneta Tejralova has been suspended for two games for what the league described as a "predatory" hit on New York Sirens forward and reigning rookie of the year, Sarah Fillier.
The Incident and Immediate Fallout
The event occurred on December 28, 2025, during one of the PWHL's Takeover Tour games in Dallas. In the third period, Tejralova lined up Fillier, who was attempting to locate a puck caught in her skates, and delivered a high, open-ice check. Fillier did not get up immediately and, although she finished the game, she subsequently sat out the Sirens' next contest as a precaution.
On-ice officials assessed Tejralova a major penalty and a game misconduct for the infraction. However, the league's disciplinary process was just beginning. Every major penalty in the PWHL is automatically reviewed by the Player Safety Committee, triggering a deeper investigation into the play's severity.
The League's Decision and Coach Reactions
After review, the PWHL announced the supplemental two-game suspension. In an explanatory video, the league stated the committee found Tejralova "takes a poor angle of approach and uses her right shoulder to deliver a high, forceful, predatory check that makes Fillier’s head the main point of contact on a play where such contact to the head was avoidable."
New York Sirens head coach Greg Fargo agreed with the league's ruling. "I thought it was direct contact to the head," Fargo said. "The officials in the moment got the call right and I think the league got the suspension right. As much as we want physicality in the league, those aren’t the kind of hits we want."
Toronto Sceptres coach Troy Ryan also deemed the punishment fair, suggesting the retaliatory nature of the hit—which came shortly after Fillier had checked Tejralova—may have influenced the two-game ban. "It sent a good message," Ryan noted.
Inside the PWHL's Suspension Review Process
The Tejralova case offers a clear window into the PWHL's formalized process for handling dangerous plays. The review is initiated either automatically by a major penalty, by a request from one of the league's eight general managers, or by any member of the six-person Player Safety Committee.
The committee is chaired by PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Jayna Hefford and includes Vice Chair Chris Burkett, special advisor Cassie Campbell-Pascall, consultant Meghan Duggan, former NHL executive Mike Murphy, and NHL Player Safety department member Matt McMahon.
"You get a diversity of opinion from the different ways each of them have been in the game," Burkett explained, emphasizing the group's collective expertise.
Once a review is triggered, the four non-chair members independently assess video of the incident. They submit their findings to Hefford, who, alongside Burkett, makes the final decision. This process is designed to prevent groupthink and ensure impartiality.
Key factors considered include the specific action, whether head contact was the main point and avoidable, and the player's disciplinary history. Tejralova, having no prior suspensions in 58 PWHL games, was treated as a first-time offender. The identity of the player hit—in this case, a star—is stated to have no bearing on the decision.
Setting a Standard for Player Safety
The suspension and the transparent explanation that followed underscore the young league's commitment to establishing a clear standard for safe play. While promoting physicality and competitive intensity, the PWHL is drawing a firm line against hits targeting the head.
Chris Burkett expressed confidence in the committee's work, stating the league is "always open in finding ways to improve" but that the group's integrity and focus on the game's best interests are beyond question. The two-game suspension for Tejralova serves as a benchmark, signaling to players, coaches, and fans the type of conduct that will not be tolerated as the PWHL continues to grow its profile and define its on-ice product.
