Shawn Thornton will have an in-person hearing on Friday afternoon with the NHL Department of Player Safety.
The marathon week for the NHL's Department of Player Safety will conclude on Friday afternoon in New York City, as the Department has announced that Shawn Thornton's in-person hearing will take place at that time.
Thornton is facing the prospects of a lengthy suspension following the incident involving Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik in Saturday night's chaotic game. Thornton attempted to engage Orpik in a fight after the defender administered a heavy hit on forward Loui Eriksson, which resulted in a concussion. The Boston forward eventually attempted to exact revenge by slew-footing Orpik while involved in a scrum and connected on a few gloved punches while Orpik was laying on the ice.
Orpik required a stretcher to be removed from the ice, is dealing with neck issues and sustained a concussion. Head coach Dan Bylsma stated that Orpik was knocked unconscious for at least 30 seconds and Orpik says he lost his memory after the national anthem from that night.
The NHL's decision to invite Thornton to an in-person hearing allows for a suspension in excess of six games. The Department administered a five-game suspension to James Neal for kneeing Brad Marchand and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf was given two-games for boarding Kevan Miller.
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