San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres will not appeal his suspension from the NHL.
Sharks GM Doug Wilson released a statement Friday where he said the forward does not want to be a distraction will serve his suspension for the remainder of the series with the Los Angeles Kings.
However, Wilson said he disagrees with the suspension and believes Torres made a clean hockey hit on Kings forward Jarrett Stoll.
“The Sharks organization fully supports the NHL in its efforts to remove illegal and dangerous hits from the game but we strongly disagree with the NHL’s decision to suspend Raffi Torres,” Wilson said in a statement. “Upon review of the incident, it is abundantly clear that this was a clean hockey hit.”
The Sharks general manager believes the NHL did not make the right call and misinterpreted Rule 48.1.
“Comparing the facts of this incident against the actual wording of Rule 48.1, it appears that the NHL has not only made an inappropriate application of this rule but is trying to make an example out of a player who is being judged on past events, one who has changed his game dramatically this season and taken only six minor penalties in 39 games,” Wilson said. “We are proud of the work Raffi has put in to successfully adjust his game. Although it’s unfortunate that Jarret was injured on the play, we feel this decision is grossly unfair to Raffi, his teammates and our fans.
You can see the entire statement here.
Torres, who was a member of the Phoenix Coyotes at the time, was suspended 25 games during last season’s playoffs for a hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa.
The suspension was later reduced to 21 games.
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