Zac Rinaldo

Zac Rinaldo (born June 15, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger currently playing with the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract with the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Playing career
Rinaldo grew up in Hamilton, Ontario and played his minor AAA hockey for the Hamilton Reps, Cambridge Hawks, Notre Dame Hounds, and Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs of the OMHA.

After his minor midget season with the Jr. Bulldogs, Rinaldo was drafted as an after thought by the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors of the OHL in the 14th round (270th overall) in 2006. He spent the following season with the Hamilton Red Wings Jr.A. club in 2006-07 before suiting up for the Majors in 2007-08. Rinaldo was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 6th round (178th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Flyers on August 11, 2009. Rinaldo started the 2010–11 AHL season playing with the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms.

Rinaldo made his NHL debut on April 22, 2011, in Game 5 of the first round of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Buffalo Sabres despite having more suspensions (4) than goals scored (3) for the Phantoms in the 2010-11 season. He again made the lineup for Game 1 of the conference semi-finals against the Boston Bruins, registering 2 shots.

At the conclusion of the Flyers' training camp in October 2011, Rinaldo made the Flyers' opening night line-up, sharing enforcing duties with veteran Jody Shelley.

Rinaldo signed a two-year contract extension worth $1.5 million on April 17, 2013.

On January 26, 2015 Rinaldo was suspended eight games for charging Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang. Rinaldo forfeited $73,170.72 in pay.

Following the 2014–15 season, Rinaldo was traded to the Boston Bruins for a 2017 3rd-round draft pick. On March 1, 2016, Rinaldo was suspended by the NHL for five games for an illegal hit delivered to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cedric Paquette in a game two days earlier. Rinaldo was promptly placed on waivers by the Bruins, which he cleared. It was his fourth suspension in five NHL seasons, and as a repeat offender he forfeited US$51,829.25 in salary.

On March 4, 2016, after being sent down to the Providence Bruins of the AHL and while technically still serving his NHL suspension, Rinaldo again faced suspension for an incident in a game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, his first game after being demoted. Rinaldo received a match penalty for intent to injure for a hit delivered to Bridgeport defenceman Kane Lafranchise. Rinaldo was suspended from the AHL indefinitely. The AHL later announced that Rinaldo would be suspended for five games for a hit targeting the head.