Mavericks’ Klotz gets eight-game suspension, team denies it was out to ‘get’ anyone

Garrett Klotz, the Kansas City Mavericks forward who was the center of attention during a brawl in a game last week at Toledo, has been suspended for eight games.

The ECHL announced the suspensions of Klotz and teammate Eric Freschi on Wednesday. Freschi has been suspended for two games.

In the game, won by Toledo 5-0 on Saturday, Klotz earned a game misconduct penalty and was ejected. The Mavericks were whistled for 13 penalties for 65 minutes, while Toledo was whistled for 11 penalties for 55 minutes.

Postgame vitriol flew, with Toledo coach Dan Watson accusing the Mavericks of sending Klotz on the ice to rough up his players, an accusation Klotz and Kansas City denied.

“I want to be clear that I acted on my own accord,” Klotz said in a statement released by the club on Wednesday. “I was not sent onto the ice to do anything but play. Hockey is an emotional game and I did not contain myself appropriately.

“My actions are not indicative of who I am as a person or a player, having been suspended only once in my 10-year career.”

Mavericks president and general manager Brent Thiessen also defended his coach, John-Scott Dickson.

“He is a man of high character and a tremendous representative of our club on and off the ice,” Thiessen said. “He never sent anyone out to ‘get’ anyone — that is ridiculous.”

This story was originally published February 14, 2018 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Mavericks’ Klotz gets eight-game suspension, team denies it was out to ‘get’ anyone."