Bruins F Thornton suspended 15 games
Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton was suspended 15 games for attacking Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik during their game on Dec. 7, the NHL announced Saturday.
Thornton will forfeit $84,615.45 in salary from the suspension.
Thornton has missed the Bruins' last three games while waiting for Friday's in-person hearing with the NHL in New York. By rule, he was forced to sit out because he was assessed a match penalty. It is Thornton's first suspension.
Thornton grabbed Orpik from behind at the 11:06 mark of the first period and punched him in the head two times. Orpik left the game on a stretcher with a concussion and was taken to a hospital.
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said Orpik skated lightly on Friday during practice but still has concussion symptoms. He is on injured reserve.
Thornton said after the Dec. 7 game that he regretted the incident and "felt sick" about it.
"It's hard for me to talk about right now. I can't say I'm sorry enough," Thornton said. "I'm sure I'll be criticized, but it's true. I felt awful. It wasn't my intention. I know Brooksie. I've gotten to know him the last seven years here. I skated with him during the lockout. I texted him a couple of times. It's not what I wanted to see or anyone to see."
