LOS ANGELES _ NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced Saturday that the 10-game suspension given to Ducks forward Antoine Vermette for striking an official with his stick will be upheld.
Bettman heard Vermette's appeal for a ban reduction in New York City on Thursday and sided with linesman Shandor Alphonso's contention that Vermette slashed him after dropping the puck on a faceoff during the third period of a Feb. 14 game at Minnesota.
The NHLPA contended that what Vermette did was a "tap" and argued that it should have been considered a less-serious Category III offense that calls for a three-game suspension. Bettman maintained that it fit under Category II, a physical abuse of official foul without intent to injure.
Vermette will serve the fifth game of his suspension when the Ducks later play an afternoon game at Staples Center against the Kings. He will not be eligible to return until May 12 against Washington and will have to forfeit $97,222.22 of his salary to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
The 34-year-old forward has eight goals and 14 assists in his first season with the Ducks. According to the league, Vermette's stick-swinging violation was just the second major penalty in his lengthy career.
In his statement, Bettman determined that Vermette "exhibited sincere remorse both at the hearing and in his prior apology delivered to Mr. Alphonso." But the commissioner also noted that the forward "learned at an early age" that a player cannot strike an official under any circumstances.
"While in a particular case, and one such as this, the ten (10) game penalty may seem harsh, the purpose of Rule 40 is to protect the Officials and ensure the integrity of the game," Bettman wrote. "Therefore, any inappropriate conduct by Players vis-a-vis Officials cannot be condoned or tolerated."
It is the second season in a row that a Ducks player has incurred a significant suspension. Shawn Horcoff received a 20-game ban last year for failing a test for the usage of a banned substance. Horcoff is now retired.
