New York Islanders’ James Wisniewski receives two-game suspension for obscene gesture
An obscene gesture made towards New York Rangers forward Sean Avery has resulted in a two-game suspension for New York Islanders defenceman James Wisniewski.
The gesture occurred during a game between the Islanders and Rangers that was played on Monday evening. Avery and Wisniewski were in the midst of a heated conversation near the Islanders’
net during a stoppage in play when Wisniewski made the lewd gesture towards Avery. The gesture was caught by television cameras, and was seen by millions of viewers across North America.
Post-game, Wisniewski said that he had no recollection of making the gesture towards Avery.
As a result of his actions, Wisniewski received a two-game suspension from the National Hockey League. He released a statement following the announcement of the suspension.
“A lot of actions on the ice are regrettable,” Wisniewski said. “I’ve been given a suspension from the league, and I’m going to accept it and move on from here.”
League commissioner Gary Bettman was present during the game, but admitted to not having seen Wisniewski’s obscene gesture, as his seat offered him a different vantage point that would
not allowed him to have seen it.
Avery is no stranger to making obscene gestures, as he has made many towards opponents over the years. However, this was the first time that one had been made towards him. Avery was suspended
by the league in 2008 after he made some controversial comments about another player’s girlfriend. He was later ordered to attend anger management counselling after the incident.
Wisniewski himself has been suspended before. Last season, while playing with the Anaheim Ducks, he was suspended for eight games following a hit to the head of Chicago Blackhawks defenceman
Brent Seabrook.
When Wisniewski’s suspension is completed, he will return to action when the Islanders take on the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday 16 October.
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