Albany Devils defensemen Dan Kelly has been suspended for ten games for a vicious hit to forward Andreas Johnson of the Toronto Marlies.
The American Hockey League levied the suspension today, prior to game five of the North Division finals, currently knotted at two games apiece. Kelly hit Johnson in the second period of game four as the winger crossed the offensive zone blue line, with what was deemed an illegal hit to the head which left the recently-acquired Swedish player unconscious on the ice and in need of medical attention.
Stu Percy is skating today and is a possibility to play Thursday in Albany. Andreas Johnson is feeling much better but won’t be playing.
— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) May 11, 2016
Albany Devils Dan Kelly Suspended
Johnson was taken to a local Albany hospital and kept overnight for observation before being released. While he is “feeling much better”, as per a recent Paul Hendrick social media update, Johnson remains out of the Marlies lineup.
Game four was just the second game Johnson competed in for the Marlies after being called up from Frolunda, Sweden, where he finished his season with 44 points in 52 regular season games, as well as two goals and two assists in the playoffs. Johnson, selected 202nd overall in the 2013 NHL draft, realized a remarkable career resurgence after being correctly diagnosed and subsequently treated for chronic asthma. He went on to win the 2013-14 Rookie of the Year award, as well as leading all SHL rookies in points.
Kelly, 26, had four goals and eleven assists, along with 93 penalty minutes across 55 regular season contests with Albany. Should the Marlies eliminate the Devils, the remainder of Kelly’s suspension would be carried over into next season.
Main Photo Credit:
Caption: TORONTO, ON – MAY 4: Dan Kelly #8 of the Albany Devils turns up ice against the Toronto Marlies during 2nd round AHL playoff game action on May 4, 2016 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo Graig Abel/Getty Images)
