Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith suspended for seven upcoming matchups–NHL Preseason Update
After playing a hard headed matchup against Chicago Blackhawks, it was not only the game that Detroit Red Wings lost. Defenseman, Brendan Smith, of Detroit Red Wings was suspended for an illegal hit to Chicago Blackhawks forward, Ben Smith, announced National
Hockey League (NHL) senior vice president for player safety, Brendan Shanahan, on Friday, September 30.
According to the new rules implemented in the NHL, in order to minimise injuries, especially those to the head, Brendan Smith hit Ben Smith with a shot to the head, which injured the player, giving the Detroit defender a match penalty.
Asking Brendan Smith about the harsh suspension, which included a ban for the remaining three preseason matchups and five regular-season games, he thinks it was a bit too hard.
"I thought it was a little steep with the five regular-season games", Smith told reporters in Detroit. "But you never want to see anyone get hurt. It's a high-risk play when someone tries to cut to the middle. I was never targeting his head. I actually got
in touch with (Ben Smith) and just apologized and said 'in no intentions did I try to do that.' Some things can go wrong, and that was the worst possible thing that could happen. I'm going to have to learn from this, for sure".
Along with regretting the incident, Brendan Smith made sure to make that clear to Ben Smith, who he hit, apologising for the play and the injury he sustained due to it.
The 22-year-old is a prospect for Detroit Red Wings and is yet to play a regular season matchup with his original draft team which picked him up as the 27th overall during round-one of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Smith played three consecutive season with University of Wisconsin in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and a first 63 game season with Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League (AHL) last season.
Smith will also be forfeiting $23,648.65 from his annual salary, which will be going to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund and will be eligible to return on the Detroit line-up on Saturday, October 22, in their matchup against Washington Capitals.
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