LDN - Sports

National Hockey
League roundup

[October 29, 2016] Oct 28 (The Sports Xchange) - Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak has been suspended two games for an illegal check to the head of New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced on Friday.

The incident occurred at 10:55 of the second period in Wednesday night's game and Pastrnak was assessed a minor penalty for an illegal check to the head.

After the Rangers' 5-2 win, Girardi said he was in a vulnerable position when hit by Pastrnak.

"I don't see the guy coming ... lucky it wasn't the forehead. I feel good now, that's the only thing that matters," Girardi said.

Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement and based on his average annual salary, Pastrnak will forfeit $10,277.78. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

- - -

The Winnipeg Jets placed forward Bryan Little on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury.

Little, 28, was injured in Winnipeg's season opener and has not played since. The move is retroactive to Oct. 13.

Little could be back by the end of November, Jets coach Paul Maurice said. Little recorded 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) in 57 games last season.

- - -

The Anaheim Ducks recalled defenseman Shea Theodore from the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League.

Theodore, 21, collected one assist and two penalty minutes in three appearances with Anaheim this season.

Since making his NHL debut last season, the 6-foot-1, 194-pounder earned three goals, six assists and four penalty minutes in 22 career NHL games.

- - -

The New York Rangers assigned Dylan McIlrath to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League one day after placing the defenseman on waivers.

[to top of second column]

McIlrath, 24, has skated in one game with the Rangers this season, with four penalty minutes.

The team was reportedly attempting to trade McIlrath but did not reach a deal.

McIlrath was the 10th overall draft pick in 2010, but he has not yet become a regular for coach head coach Alain Vigneault.

- - -

The New Jersey Devils signed 9-year-old Santino Anastasia to a one-day contract as a part of Hockey Fights Cancer night at the Prudential Center.

"I received glowing reports regarding Santino at skate this morning," Devils general manager Ray Shero said in a statement to honor the young Devils' fan

"This is a great day for him, his mother, Michelle, father, Arthur and brother, Giancarlo. "We are all honored to have him join the New Jersey Devils organization."

Anastasia, from Kinnelon, N.J., is currently being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the Valerie Fund Children's Center at Newark Beth Israel Hospital.

He was able to watch morning skate, meet the players, attend head coach John Hynes' press conference where he also met the press and finally signed his contract in Shero's office.

- - - (Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)

Back to top