Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey escaped a suspension from the National Hockey League.
After having a hearing with the NHL’s department of player safety on Thursday, Morrissey was fined the maximum amount, but was not suspended.
Earlier on Thursday it was announced Morrissey would have a hearing for interference/unsportsmanlike conduct in Wednesday’s victory over the Washington Capitals. Morrissey got tangled up with T.J. Oshie with a little over a minute left in the game. After colliding in the corner, Morrissey slammed Oshie on his back. No penalty was given at the time.
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Morrissey will forfeit $8,467.74 in salary which is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement.
He’s now a repeat offender after he was suspended in last season’s Stanley Cup playoffs. Morrissey received a one game suspension for cross-checking Minnesota Wild forward Eric Staal.
Many were comparing the hit to the one Florida Panthers defenceman Mike Matheson made on Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson earlier this season. Matheson was suspended two games for the result of that hit.
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The 23-year-old Morrissey has been one of the Jets top defencemen this season and has one goal and seven assists in 17 games.