Hit on Marian Hossa: NHL bans Raffi Torres for 25 games as Phoenix Coyotes’ winger shows remorse
Phoenix Coyotes’ left wing, Raffi Torres, has shown some remorse over injuring Chicago Blackhawks’ forward, Marian Hossa, but it did not help stop the National Hockey League (NHL) from suspending the player for 25 games.
Torres was taken to the task at an NHL in-person hearing on Friday, April 20, 2012, where representatives of the NHL Players Association (NHLPA) were also present. The ruling of the ban was announced on Saturday.
Hossa, who is still out of the league due to a head injury he suffered as a result of the hit, has not offered any comments in response to the penalty imposed on Torres but the latter has said he regretted the hit and hoped for Hossa to recover soon.
Torres said:
"My main concern is for the healthy recovery of Marian Hossa, and I hope that he will be able to get back on the ice to compete again soon. I sincerely regret injuring Marian
He added:
"Regarding the severity of the suspension issued, I will take the next few days to decide whether or not to appeal the decision."
Before the latest hearing, the player had been banned from the game indefinitely soon after the incident and now the suspension totals for 25 consecutive games.
He has already missed a couple of games since the incident, which occurred in Game 3 of the Western Conference playoff quarterfinals series.
Hossa was hospitalised after the hit, but shifted to home on the same evening. He said to be recovering from the upper body injury, which is now confirmed to be a head injury.
There is no confirmation of a timeline for his recovery and return, and it looks like the playoffs are over for the player. It will be surely all over for him if the team is unable to sustain the current run.
Blackhawks’ captain, Jonathan Toews, meanwhile, has expressed satisfaction over the league’s decision.
He said:
"We take a little satisfaction in seeing some justice there, but Marian Hossa is still at home, not feeling like himself. It doesn't bring him back into our line-up and feel ready."
It is pertinent to mention here that the NHL has also penalised Blackhawks’ coach, Joel Quenneville, by making him pay $10,000 in fine over his criticism of the officiating of the game, in which Hossa suffered the injury.
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