Patrick King

The OHL didn't deem Kassian's hit illegal in its ruling so how does receive a lengthy suspension?

Zack Kassian will play hockey again this season, but the reasoning behind the Ontario Hockey League's decision to suspend the Windsor Spitfire leaves a lot of room for questioning.

The OHL handed Kassian a 20-game suspension Thursday, one week after delivering an open-ice hit on an unsuspecting Matt Kennedy. Kassian was assessed a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct, while Kennedy suffered the fifth concussion of his career.

In announcing his ruling, OHL commissioner David Branch said the league found that the hit had not been administered to the head, nor had Kassian left his feet to make contact.

Although the puck was near, Kennedy was not in possession as he was looking over his shoulder and was deemed to have been exposed and in a vulnerable position. Therefore, Kassian's suspension has less to do with the manner in which he hit Kennedy than the timing of the blow.

One could argue that, had the puck not been deflected into the air, Kennedy would have had the puck and likely not been in a vulnerable position to receive the hit.

Windsor Spitfires general manager Warren Rychel was surprised at the length of the suspension, given that his player hadn't administered a head shot, nor had he got his elbow or stick up in Kennedy's face.

"There's a grey area there," he acknowledged.

"We didn't think it would be 20 games… I guess when it all comes down to it a kid's got to be responsible for himself."

It's understandable how the Spitfires could be miffed by the length of the suspension. In explaining the league's decision, Branch spoke of the level of respect on the ice and Kennedy's vulnerable positioning.

Since Kassian had not left his feet, nor had he been deemed to have delivered a blow to the head, the decision then becomes a reaction based on judgment and circumstance.

The league may have felt handcuffed by the exposure of the hit. Kassian's hit was viewed as a dirty play and a sad sign of the violent state of junior hockey. That belief was furthered four days later, when Patrice Cormier's flying elbow to Mikael Tam's head put Tam in hospital in Québec Major Junior Hockey League play.

Tam was convulsing on the ice from the elbow and carried off on a stretcher. Cormier was suspended indefinitely, and the league will hand out its verdict on Monday.

Due to the timing and severity of the injuries, the two hits were then lumped together, which Rychel felt was unfair towards Kassian given the distinct differences.

"I just have a problem with guys saying it's the same thing with Cormier," Rychel said. "People say the Cormier and Kassian thing are the same. It's not the same. It's clearly evident (Kassian's hit was) not a head shot - the injuries aren't the same. That's the only thing that upsets me."

Many pundits were calling for a season and playoff-long suspension, following that same punishment handed to Erie Otters forward Mike Liambas earlier this season. Liambas pasted Kitchener rookie Ben Fanelli into the boards after Fanelli passed the puck behind the goal.

As an overage player, Liambas' OHL career was over. Branch had said the hit was not deemed illegal, but more about Liambas' speed to deliver the blow. Both Liambas and Kassian's previous history with suspensions were weighed in the process. Fanelli's injury was far more severe, as he suffered skull and facial fractures.

Kassian has since spoken with Kennedy by phone, Rychel said, and is concerned about Kennedy's health. The Barrie Colts forward is reportedly still eyeing a return to action this season.

Kassian, meanwhile, will not be eligible to return to action until March 7, one week before the conclusion of the regular season. He was playing in his first game since being acquired prior to the trade deadline from the Peterborough Petes.

He is still permitted to practice with the team and will be joining them on road trips during the suspension. The team is not concerned that he will lose a step during his absence.

"He's in great shape and he'll keep rolling with a lot of three-on-three games (in practice) and a lot of conditioning here," Rychel said. "He's one of the best-shaped guys in the league so I don't think that's a problem."

Much like the consistency in determining the length of suspensions, the decision whether to suspend a player based on a legal hit remains in question.