Gary Bettman has released his ruling on Dennis Wideman’s appeal of his twenty game suspension following his incident with linesman Don Henderson on January 27th, 2016. Wideman has the option to further appeal the suspension to an independent third-party arbitrator if he so chooses.
The following is the press release from the National Hockey League.
Commissioner Gary Bettman Upholds 20-Game Dennis Wideman Suspension
Defenseman has already served seven games
NEW YORK — Commissioner Gary Bettman today upheld the 20-game suspension that was assessed to Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman for conduct violative of Rule 40 (Physical Abuse of Officials) during NHL Game No. 742 in Calgary on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
Wideman met with Commissioner Bettman at a hearing in New York on Feb. 10 pursuant to his appeal of the suspension assessed by NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell on Feb. 3.
The length of the suspension includes seven games already served. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Wideman will forfeit $564,516.20. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Complete Commissioner Bettman ruling (PDF)
Main Photo Credit:
Main Photo Caption: SAN JOSE, CA – NOVEMBER 28: Dennis Wideman #6 of the Calgary Flames skates with control of the puck against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on November 28, 2015 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
