NEW YORK (AP) Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson’s 20-game suspension for an illegal check to an opponent’s head in a preseason game has been upheld by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Bettman’s decision was announced Thursday, a week after a hearing that lasted nearly 7+ hours.
Bettman ruled that the initial ruling by the Department of Player Safety on Oct. 3 ”was supported by clear and convincing evidence.”
Wilson’s fourth ban in less than 13 months is costing him nearly a quarter of the 82-game regular season – only five NHL players have been suspended longer for on-ice play – and $1.26 million in salary.
The right winger can now appeal to a neutral arbitrator.
Wilson was ejected for the hit on St. Louis Blues center Oskar Sundqvist in the second period of the teams’ exhibition game on Sept. 30.
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