Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres and the National Hockey League Players' Association will apparently appeal his 25-game suspension for his shoulder-to-head hit on Blackhawks star Marian Hossa in Game 3 of their first-round series.
Torres was handed his lengthy ban on April 21, just a few days after delivering the injury-causing blow to Hossa, who was carried off on a stretcher because of it. It was the second longest suspension in NHL history.
Torres issued a statement after his suspension: "Regarding the severity of the suspension issued, I will take the next few days to decide whether or not to appeal the decision."
Instead, it took weeks to decide. Hossa didn't play the rest of the series because of a severe concussion and is currently back in his native Slovakia.
The NHLPA will take up Torres' case with the NHL's arbitrator, which is league commissioner Gary Bettman.
Torres, a notorious headhunter, has a lengthy suspension history. In his video explanation, NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan stated that Torres violated three NHL rules on the play and was aware that Hossa no longer had the puck.
"It is clear that he sees Hossa is no longer in possession of the puck because Torres takes a one-handed swipe at it with his stick," Shanahan said. "Torres then leaps into the air and drives his left shoulder into Hossa's. This is a violation of three NHL rules: interference, charging and illegal check to the head."
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