This is Torres’s ninth career suspension or fine for an illegal check to the head, according to the National Hockey League. After Silfverberg had passed the puck, Torres took several strides toward him and lowered his shoulder into Silfverberg’s head.
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On its official Twitter account Sunday night, Player Safety wrote that Torres waived his right to an in-person hearing for “an illegal check to the head/interference/charging” of Silfverberg after his hit in the second period.
Torres previously appealed his 25-game suspension from an April 17, 2012 playoff game in which he illegally checked Marian Hossa in the head.
Silfverberg left the game for precautionary reasons but did not suffer an injury on the play.
It’s been a battle for Torres to remain on the ice during his tenure as a San Jose Sharks player. Still, Torres’ suspension was the longest since New York Islanders forward Chris Simon was given a 30-game ban for stomping on the ankle of Jarkko Ruutu in December. 2007.
There is no doubt on this one that it was a bad hit by Torres, who seemingly skates across the ice and makes contact with Silfverberg’s head.
The 33-year-old Canadian missed all of last season due to a knee injury. With the league attempting to crack down and levy more severe sanctions on dirty hits, Torres becomes the first player in quite a few time to feel the iron fist of the league’s disciplinary department. On the ensuing faceoff, Ducks winger Patrick Maroon attempted to gain a little revenge on Sharks winger Frazer McLaren for McLaren’s boarding hit on Korbiniah Holzer during the teams’ game September 26.
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Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Torres will forfeit $440,860.29. Because it has been more than 18 months since that suspension, Torres would not be deemed a “repeat offender”.
