NEW YORK — Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson’s 20-game suspension for an illegal check to an opponent’s head in a preseason game has been upheld by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Bettman’s decision was announced Thursday, a week after a hearing that lasted nearly 7½ hours.
Bettman ruled that the initial ruling by the Department of Player Safety on Oct. 3 “was supported by clear and convincing evidence.”
Wilson’s fourth ban in less than 13 months is costing him nearly a quarter of the 82-game regular season - only five NHL players have been suspended longer for on-ice play - and $1.