Flames’ Wideman Suspended for Hitting Linesman

Photo Credit: Derek Leung/Getty Images

Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman has been suspended for 20 games by the NHL after he  knocked over a linesman, Don Henderson, from behind in the Flames’ game on Jan.27.  In the second period of the game, Wideman had taken a hit from an opposing player, Nashville Predators’ Miikka Salomaki. After being hit, Wideman was skating towards the Flames bench when he cross-checked the linesman, who had his back turned to the player.

The hit did not warrant a penalty on the ice, and it was unclear as to whether or not Wideman had intentionally hit the linesman. Henderson was reportedly in attendance for the hearing on Tuesday in which Wideman was suspended.

Following the game Wideman had said that throughout his career he always had respect for the officials and would never intentionally try to hit a linesman. This is Wideman’s first offense and has not had a problem like this in the past.

After the suspension the Flames President of Hockey Operations released a statement saying:

“We were informed earlier today that our player, Dennis Wideman, was suspended for contact with an official in last Wednesday’s game against Nashville. We disagree with the severity of today’s suspension ruling and maintain that Dennis’ collision with the linesman was unintentional and accidental. We agree that our officials’ safety and well-being is of extreme importance in order to allow them to perform their duties. They perform an invaluable but underappreciated role in our game. We support sanctions against players who make deliberate contact with any official. However, unintentional and accidental contact does occur at times in our game. We will have no further comment on the matter at this time.”

After the game it was confirmed that Wideman had suffered a concussion and had been “woozy” and “disoriented” as he headed to the bench and collided with Henderson. He stated that he had apologized to Henderson following the hit, and that he was unable to avoid it.

The National Hockey League Player Association has announced that they will be filing an appeal on the league’s decision. Given the medical evidence of Wideman’s concussion they believe that this consequence is too severe for an accidental hit that occurred.

While it is no one’s intention to make light of the situation or make a point to excuse these actions, the NHLPA believes that the evidence of the concussion and the hit being unintentional should factor into the consequence. They also believe that since this is Wideman’s first offense in his 11 NHL seasons that they should look at the situation in such a way, that he is not a player inclined to intentionally hurting players or anyone else on the ice.

Wideman, at the moment, will miss 20 games and $564,516 as a result of this suspension. Information regarding this situation is expected to be released as it becomes available.