Kuhnhackl gets 20 games for hit

Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick and OHL player Tom Kuhnhackl has been suspended a season-high 20 games for a head-shot elbow.

The Niagara IceDogs winger hit the Kitchener Rangers’ Ryan Murphy Friday night. The blow has knocked Murphy out of the CHL’s Super Series versus the Russians.

Kuhnhackl received a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. The German-born player was in his second game with the IceDogs after being acquired from the Windsor Spitfires on Nov. 2.

In the replay of the offence (below), Kuhnhackl appears to leave his feet, and Murphy did not have the puck. Murphy, who is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury, was expected to join Team Canada for this year’s world juniors.

In a website video, the OHL notes that Kuhnhackl made contact with the opponent's head and hit a vulnerable, unsuspecting player. The OHL also considered the speed and distance travelled when making its decision and noted that Murphy was injured on the play.

Murphy was down on the ice for a couple of minutes before skating to the bench without assistance. He has not played in Kitchener's last two games.

Murphy, who has six assists in nine games this season, was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes with the 12th overall pick in this year's NHL entry draft.

Kuhnhackl was selected in the fourth round of last year's draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has five points and 11 penalty minutes in six games this season.

This is the eighth suspension of 10 games or more dished out by OHL commissioner David Branch so far this season.

Kuhnhackl will be eligible to return for the IceDogs Jan. 6 home game versus the Owen Sound Attack.