Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

San Jose GM Doug Wilson On The Torres Suspension

05/18/2013 at 8:06am EDT

from the Sharks website,

The Sharks organization fully supports the NHL in its efforts to remove illegal and dangerous hits from the game but we strongly disagree with the NHL's decision to suspend Raffi Torres.

Upon review of the incident, it is abundantly clear that this was a clean hockey hit. As noted by the NHL, Raffi's initial point of contact was a shoulder-to-shoulder hit on an opponent who was playing the puck. He did not leave his feet or elevate, he kept his shoulder tucked and elbow down at his side, and he was gliding - not skating or charging.

As stated in the NHL's Player Safety video, Rule 48.1 says, "A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted." Thus, with the use of the word "and", this rule clearly states that two elements must occur in order to violate the rule. Raffi absolutely did not target his opponent's head on the play. The call on the ice specifically acknowledged that the head was not targeted and nowhere in the NHL's ruling does it insinuate or suggest that the opponent's head was targeted.

continued

How does Don Cherry feel about the suspension? Watch below and find out...

Create an Account

In order to leave a comment, please create an account.

About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]

Most Recent Posts

Most Recent Comments

Comment by Paul in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry Open Post- Three Playoff Games Tonight - 7 minutes ago
Comment by damndogrevenge in Abel to Yzerman from the entry A Message From Patrick Kane - 24 minutes ago
Comment by Paul in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry Open Post- Three Playoff Games Tonight - 53 minutes ago
Comment by Paul in Abel to Yzerman from the entry A Message From Patrick Kane - 1 hour ago
Comment by KaszyckiandhisKrew in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry Andrei Vasilevskiy Has Been Great But Nothing To Show For It - 1 hour ago