A $10.25-million lawsuit against Calgary Flames defenceman Dennis Wideman was tossed out of the Court of Queen’s Bench on Friday, and will now be sitting on the plate of the commissioner of the NHL.
The lawsuit was filed by linesman Don Henderson in April 2017 against the hockey team and Wideman.
Henderson said he suffered a wide range of injuries, including permanent and partial disability and serious head injuries, after being checked into the boards by Wideman during a game on Jan. 27, 2016.
The Flames and Wideman both applied to have the lawsuit stayed in the Court of Queen’s Bench and referred to arbitration.
Justice Willie deWit issued an oral decision in court on Friday that, in short, stated Wideman’s and the Calgary Flames’ applications were successful, according to one of the lawyers representing Wideman in court.
The matter will now go to arbitration, where under the NHL constitution, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has the jurisdiction to hear the case, Laura Bracco-Callaghan said.
Bettman was visiting Calgary on Friday as part of his Western Canada tour.
Bracco-Callaghan wouldn’t comment on whether Wideman’s legal counsel would be meeting with Bettman while he’s in the city, or what next steps are.
Bracco-Callaghan said she and the legal team are pleased with Friday’s decision.
Watch from Feb. 2016: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has upheld Calgary Flames defenceman Dennis Wideman’s 20-game suspension for abuse of an official. Kevin Smith reports.