NHL suspends Philadelphia Flyers forward Tom Sestito for hit on New York Rangers' Andre Deveaux –NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL) suspended another player on Wednesday, September 28, during Philadelphia Flyers' preseason matchup against New York Rangers. NHL vice president of Players Safety and Hockey Operations, Brendan Shanahan, announced the suspension
of Flyers' forward, Tom Sestito, for his hit on Rangers’ Andre Deveaux.
Sestito is known for his physical style of play, but not having been suspended before during his three seasons in the major league, the NHL enforcer tried not to hand down too harsh of a sentence.
"We've also taken into consideration that while Sestito is known as a very physical player, he's never been suspended in his NHL career", said Shanahan during his announcement. "There was also no injury on the play".
The 24-year-old has been suspended without pay for the remainder of the preseason along with two regular season matchups for his hit on New York’s player.
Andre Deveaux, a 27-year-old centre player and a prospect for the New York club, was getting back up on his feet after failing to check a Flyers player and falling on the ice.
While skating away from the two players, Sestito came from behind and checked the player in a defenceless position, now termed as an illegal hit.
"Sestito actually increases his speed and makes contact directly with Deveaux's back, driving him hard in to the glass", Shanahan said in a video of his announcement.
The 24-year-old was given a major penalty along with a game misconduct for boarding nearly midway through the first period.
An amount of $5,945.94 will be deducted from the players’ annual salary for the days he will not be participating with Philadelphia and will be added to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund, according to a clause under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Picked as the 85th pick overall during round-three of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by Columbus Blue Jackets, the young left winger failed to strike a contract after his three-year, entry-level deal ended with them.
At the moment, he is used as a back-liner for Philadelphia Flyers and will be eligible to return on the ice after missing two games against Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils on October 6 and 8, respectively.
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