Phoenix Coyotes’ Raffi Torres faces NHL hearing over hit on Chicago Blackhawks’ Marian Hossa-NHL News
The National Hockey League (NHL) has rescheduled the in person hearing for Phoenix Coyotes’ forward, Raffi Torres, as the player remains suspended indefinitely over a hit on Chicago Blackhawks’ forward, Marian Hossa, who is recovering from an upper body
injury at home.
Hossa was taken to hospital following the hit into 12th minutes of the first period of the Game 3 of the Western Conference playoff quarterfinals series on Tuesday, April 17, 2012.
He was forced down on the ice motionless for a few moments before being helped to the bench on the sidelines and then transported to hospital in an ambulance.
Following the hit, the league office banned Torres indefinitely. The NHL also set the hearing for him on Thursday, April 19, 2012.
Later, the office changed the date to April 20, 2012 (Friday) on a request from Torres and the NHL Players Association (NHLPA).
Both parties will be present at the league’s hearing over the incident in their office in New York at end of the week.
It is difficult to ascertain if NHL decides to reduce the amount of the penalty to a limited amount of games or time.
Since the exact nature and level of the upper body injury of Hossa is very thin, the level and quantum of the penalty is difficult to determine, which in case of concussion is always severer and harsher.
Except for the team’s confirmation that Hossa suffered the upper body injury and has been shifted back at home, there is not a single hint if the injury is a concussion.
In the absence of exact information around the injury it looks like Torres might not be facing league’s disciplinarians’ questions over concussion.
The NHL Department of Player Safety, while confirming the day and date of the hearing, has not offered any comment around the prospective proceedings at the session.
It is equally difficult to ascertain the role of the NHLPA, who are a party in the hearing and their representatives will be present in person.
Due to the dearth of information, it can only be speculated that Torres must be ready to face a tougher stance from the league as it looks from the tone of their message so far, especially the way the authorities acted, promptly banning him from the game
for an indefinite period of time before the hearing.
It will certainly be true if Hossa’s injury turns out to be a concussion.
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