Perezhogin Suspended One Year

[Ryan]

He will miss the remainder of the playoffs and the entire 2004-2005 season.

Does anyone know how this effects his NHL eligibility? Does the NHL honour suspensions from other leagues?

From TSN.ca
www.tsn.ca/ahl/news_story.asp?id=83068

TSN.ca Staff

5/7/2004

The American Hockey League has suspended Hamilton Bulldogs forward Alexander Perezhogin for the remainder of the playoffs and all of next season following a vicious stick swining incident in a playoff game last week.

Perezhogin was given a match penalty and immediately suspended by the league for what the AHL called a "a forceful, two-handed baseball-like swing" to the head of Cleveland Barons defenseman Garrett Stafford during Game 5 of their AHL North Division semifinal series on April 30.

The AHL also suspended Stafford for six games for swinging his stick in a dangerous manner which struck the back of Perezhogin's helmet prior to the Bulldogs player retaliating with his stick.

"In determining the appropriate punishments, the AHL examined the game of April 30 in its entirety, reviewed medical reports from Hamilton General Hospital and the Barons' medical staff, and interviewed the players involved or their representatives." said AHL president David Andrews.

"While in my opinion the action of Mr. Stafford was clearly a contributing factor to the incident, the reaction by Mr. Perezhogin was indefensible in terms of both its nature and its real and potential consequences."

Andrews added that neither player had ever been disciplined by the AHL this season and Perezhogin did not incur a single major penalty or misconduct during the 2003-04 AHL season.

In the game in question, Stafford and Perezhogin got tangled and went down in front of the Barons net. Stafford, while on the ice, took a one-handed swing over his head and his stick appeared to glance off Perezhogin's helmet.

The Hamilton forward, who was the first back to his feet, came back with a swing that struck Stafford in the face just as he got back to his knees.

Stafford went into convulsions and was taken to hospital. He suffered a Grade 3 concussion and needed 20 stitches to repair a facial cut.

Hamilton police are investigating the incident.

Barons coach Roy Sommer, whose team was subsequently eliminated by Hamilton, said Perezhogin should be banned from playing again in North America.

The Bulldogs are still in the AHL playoffs, down 2-0 to the Rochester Americans in the North Division final.

[Lord Stanley]

Ouch....I feel like crying

Lord S.

[LoupDogg]

I'm shocked.

Whilst, if taken alone, the suspension is not too strong (couldn't go farther), it doesn't fit in the habits of any league.

Let's all hope it is a new jurisprudence, and all assaults will be judged with this as the benchmark. If we see another Messier spearing getting two games, we'll know for sure that we've been ****ed

It hurts our team and the kid so much, I hope he'll be able to come back stronger in 2006.

[JohnnyVerdun]

The only question i'm interested in now is this: can the Habs have him on their roster next year?

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Goo said:

Let's all hope it is a new jurisprudence, and all assaults will be judged with this as the benchmark.

I'm not holding my breath.

Clearly what teams must now do is to promote even more crosschecking and instruct the goombahs on their rosters to swing at the heads of opposing teams' talented players, but miss, in the hopes of drawing a retaliation and a potentially long suspension on behalf of the skilled player.

[blaise]

Even goombahs don't want want to lose their brains, especially if they swing and miss against someone with a lot more muscle than Perezhogin. Of course, if they insist on doing it anyway they might try Todd Bertuzzi.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Instigate, instigate.

Like Gary Roberts did by delivering at least half a dozen crosschecks to Keith Primeau's back on the same shift. Not one of them was called. Of course had Primeau retaliated, we know who would have ended up in the penalty box.

[blny]

Mr. said:

I'm not holding my breath.

Clearly what teams must now do is to promote even more crosschecking and instruct the goombahs on their rosters to swing at the heads of opposing teams' talented players, but miss, in the hopes of drawing a retaliation and a potentially long suspension on behalf of the skilled player.

This is more or less what I was thinking. We now know the price of accuracy. Stafford almost missed, and got six games. Perez "scored" a direct hit and got a year.

In all honesty, I expect half a season. I think that would have been plenty considering it WAS a provoked attack. I have no doubt that the Bertuzzi incident had a large impact on the penalty, and I'm sure the league was looking to make an example of the kid. Had he a history of stick work I could have seen a whole season, but the kid never had a major. I think that should have accounted for more ... or less in this case.

I'm glad the league chose to suspend Stafford aswell. He deserved it for his involvement in the incident. The term sounds about right. In my eyes the swing Stafford took was just as hard, he just wasn't able to apply the leverage that Perez did.

I don't know what options the Habs have. I doubt that if Perez were eligible to play in any other league in NA that anyone would take him on. It would be a PR nightmare. I also think that if he were taken on by a team in say the ECHL that oppositions players might be inclined to provoke him. He'd be a marked man by players and officials. With that in mind, if the opportunity to send him to Europe to play could be done it might not be bad. However, I think he'd have to clear waivers to do it.

[rhabdo]

The punishment is harsh, particularly for someone with Perezhogin's previous record, but the AHL makes the rules and fans have to live with them. We also have to accept the reality that the NHL would not permit Gainey to bring him up. I hope Colin Campbell takes this as an example for dealing with Bertuzzi at the start of next season. I would rebel against the AHL's verdict on Perezhogin if Bertuzzi isn't suspended for at least 30 games. A lack of symmetry between the two punishments would make the NHL look corrupt.

Of course if the season is wiped out Perezhogin's punishment would be moot. All he would have to worry about are criminal charges against him, which in my opinion should be dropped.

[rhabdo]

Mr. said:

Instigate, instigate.

Like Gary Roberts did by delivering at least half a dozen crosschecks to Keith Primeau's back on the same shift. Not one of them was called. Of course had Primeau retaliated, we know who would have ended up in the penalty box.

I've always considered Gary Roberts to be a sneaky dirty player. He has a fairly good perception of what he can get away with and he pushes it to the limit (the shot he gave Kenny Jonsson in the playoffs). Other oafs can't fine tune it as well as he can and they're the ones who get the multigame suspensions (Tie Domi against Scott Niedermayer, for example).

[CentreHice]

Why even bother giving Stafford a suspension at all...6 games is a joke as compared to the playoffs and a year. And the referee, Langdon, gets what? Nothing.

I can accept the year to Perezhogin. It was a brutal offense of the highest order.

But Mr. Bozo's right....the lesson learned here is "attempt to injure all the star players you want...just don't fully connect....instigate instigate."

Plays like Roberts' continuous hits from behind on Primeau (they were basically one and two-handed punches to the back and thinly-veiled crosschecks....half a dozen roughting penalties at the very least least) will be the order of the day. Needless to say, (but I will anyway) there was much rejoicing when Roenick scored in OT.

[Maritimer]

Jesse Boulerice was suspended for 1 year or life from the OHL was he not? He ended up playing in the ECHL at 19 instead.

[Bob]

Mr. said:

Instigate, instigate.

Like Gary Roberts did by delivering at least half a dozen crosschecks to Keith Primeau's back on the same shift. Not one of them was called. Of course had Primeau retaliated, we know who would have ended up in the penalty box.

As I have said before, I totally agree. The on-ice officials should bear some responsibility as well as those who provide the "guidelines" to the on-ice officials.

The whole mindset of the game is upside down.

[Andrew]

The Habs have to meet with Perezhogin, and his agent, and determine the best option for furthering his development while retaining his rights. Perhaps he can play in the RSL.

The two big questions I have are: does the NHL have an agreement with the AHL with respect to suspensions? How long a suspension will Bertuzzi get? As far as NHL punishment is concerned, Bertuzzi's suspension will be the benchmark. If Bertuzzi is suspended for a lesser periond than Perezhogin, Gainey will be justified in honoring the AHL's suspension, in the NHL, only to the extent of Bertuzzi's.

Both leagues have to eliminate the guessing games when it comes to suspensions. If a player leaves the bench to join a fight, it's a 10 game suspension. Why can't the same apply to high sticking? It would force players to be concious of where there stick is at all times.

[franko]

Just wondering if there is an appeal process and if the sentence might be reduced . . . I can dream, can't I?

[HabbaDasher]

Better too long a suspension than too short.
Perezhogin could have killed the guy.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

JohnnyVerdun said:

The only question i'm interested in now is this: can the Habs have him on their roster next year?

I would say no, since although Perezhogin was playing in Hamilton he is under contract to and therefore an employee of the Montréal Canadiens.

Further, I believe that the IIHF has honoured suspensions meted out by North American professional hockey leagues. I don't see why they would want to see their leagues become safe havens for those fleeing punishment.

Hard to tell about Russia right now, seeing as they are involved in a battle over transfer fees and rights. Read about that here.

All in all I'd say that it looks as if Perezhogin will miss a year's development.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

BLNY said:

This is more or less what I was thinking. We now know the price of accuracy. Stafford almost missed, and got six games. Perez "scored" a direct hit and got a year.

In all honesty, I expect half a season. I think that would have been plenty considering it WAS a provoked attack. I have no doubt that the Bertuzzi incident had a large impact on the penalty, and I'm sure the league was looking to make an example of the kid. Had he a history of stick work I could have seen a whole season, but the kid never had a major. I think that should have accounted for more ... or less in this case.

I'm glad the league chose to suspend Stafford aswell. He deserved it for his involvement in the incident. The term sounds about right. In my eyes the swing Stafford took was just as hard, he just wasn't able to apply the leverage that Perez did.

I don't know what options the Habs have. I doubt that if Perez were eligible to play in any other league in NA that anyone would take him on. It would be a PR nightmare. I also think that if he were taken on by a team in say the ECHL that oppositions players might be inclined to provoke him. He'd be a marked man by players and officials. With that in mind, if the opportunity to send him to Europe to play could be done it might not be bad. However, I think he'd have to clear waivers to do it.

I don't see this as a PR nightmare. To me it's a great Hanson brothers marketing tool for the WHL. Perhaps if Perezhogin comes to LA he can be on Leno and Letterman, an episode of the Bachelor, Oprah and Americas funniest videos. Join the Marines, fight and see the world. We live in a sick society.
If the NHL upholds the AHL ban without a previous agreement to do so, I can see the lawyers licking their chops on both sides. If Perezhogin was black, Jessie Jackson would be outraged at the treatment he is getting. Watchout for the ACLU.
This could push hockey past tractor pulls on the Neilson ratings.

[blaise]

Habs_fan_in_LA said:

I don't see this as a PR nightmare. To me it's a great Hanson brothers marketing tool for the WHL. Perhaps if Perezhogin comes to LA he can be on Leno and Letterman, an episode of the Bachelor, Oprah and Americas funniest videos. Join the Marines, fight and see the world. We live in a sick society.
If the NHL upholds the AHL ban without a previous agreement to do so, I can see the lawyers licking their chops on both sides. If Perezhogin was black, Jessie Jackson would be outraged at the treatment he is getting. Watchout for the ACLU.
This could push hockey past tractor pulls on the Neilson ratings.

I think this goes beyond the bounds of good taste.

[StevePenny]

I don't agree with the one year at all. Maybe 20 games into the season. Shouldn't Perez have the oppertunity to work and support himself in his trade?

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

StevePenny said:

I don't agree with the one year at all. Maybe 20 games into the season. Shouldn't Perez have the oppertunity to work and support himself in his trade?

At the risk of being pedantic:

Main Entry: pen·al·ty
Function: noun
Etymology: Medieval Latin poenalitas, from Latin poenalis

1 : the suffering in person, rights, or property that is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of a crime or public offense
2 : the suffering or the sum to be forfeited to which a person agrees to be subjected in case of nonfulfillment of stipulations
3 a : disadvantage, loss, or hardship due to some action b : a disadvantage (as loss of yardage, time, or possession of the ball or an addition to or subtraction from the score) imposed on a team or competitor for violation of the rules of a sport

*

Being punished means not being able to go about daily life as one is accustomed. It means enduring suffering and hardship (above and beyond that which one is normally subject to on this mortal coil).

[NWTHabsFan]

I mean, as a Habs fan, it is tough to see a great prospect get a full year suspension. On the other hand, as a fan of hockey, this serious lack of respect that is out there between the players just has to stop.

To that end, the AHL did two things that the NHL still has failed to do. First, they handed down a suspension quickly (unlike the NHL "wait and see for next year" approach for Bertuzzi) and secondly, it was a severe punishment. The league had to send a strong message, and it did. The incident was severe, and so was the punishment. I think Stafford got off a little light, but that is not how the league saw it and I respect their decision, even if I don't agree.

I also don't see a storied franchise like the Habs, and their classy GM Gainey, thumbing their nose at this suspension and letting Alex play in the NHL to ride out his AHL suspension. They will likely be working on another plan for Alex for next season. But as Mr B stated, his options may be limited if other leagues respect this suspension on a morale ground, as opposed to a legally-binding ground.

All I can hope is that Stafford has a full and complete recovery and that Alex becomes a stronger (mentally) and better hockey player as a result of this incident. He will have lots of time to reflect, but he is young and has been given a second chance to come back better than ever. Not everyone gets that second chance in life.

[JohnnyVerdun]

The punishment is absurd. Anyone who thinks AP's offence warrants 80+ games is whacked. It's probable that when Perezhogin unleashed his stick he believed Stafford was on his feet, in which case it would have been a slash to the leg. That makes it reckless and stupid, but hardly attempted murder. Bertuzzi, on the other hand, stalks Moore for 30 seconds and then roundhouse punches him in the temple. see the inconsistency (I know they're different leagues)?

To me, intention is the big thing. Give AP 20+ games and get on with life.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

NWTHabsFan said:

I mean, as a Habs fan, it is tough to see a great prospect get a full year suspension. On the other hand, as a fan of hockey, this serious lack of respect that is out there between the players just has to stop.

To that end, the AHL did two things that the NHL still has failed to do. First, they handed down a suspension quickly (unlike the NHL "wait and see for next year" approach for Bertuzzi) and secondly, it was a severe punishment. The league had to send a strong message, and it did. The incident was severe, and so was the punishment. I think Stafford got off a little light, but that is not how the league saw it and I respect their decision, even if I don't agree.

I also don't see a storied franchise like the Habs, and their classy GM Gainey, thumbing their nose at this suspension and letting Alex play in the NHL to ride out his AHL suspension. They will likely be working on another plan for Alex for next season. But as Mr B stated, his options may be limited if other leagues respect this suspension on a morale ground, as opposed to a legally-binding ground.

All I can hope is that Stafford has a full and complete recovery and that Alex becomes a stronger (mentally) and better hockey player as a result of this incident. He will have lots of time to reflect, but he is young and has been given a second chance to come back better than ever. Not everyone gets that second chance in life.

Well said.
I don't think the franchise is dependent on having Perezhogin suit up next year.
I hope he finds a place to play next year and comes back when he's ready.

"All I can hope is that Stafford has a full and complete recovery and that Alex becomes a stronger (mentally) and better hockey player as a result of this incident. He will have lots of time to reflect, but he is young and has been given a second chance to come back better than ever. Not everyone gets that second chance in life."

Sometimes we lose sight of what it's all really about!

[StevePenny]

Mr. said:

At the risk of being pedantic:

Main Entry: pen·al·ty
Function: noun
Etymology: Medieval Latin poenalitas, from Latin poenalis

1 : the suffering in person, rights, or property that is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of
a crime or public offense
2 : the suffering or the sum to be forfeited to which a person agrees to be subjected in case of nonfulfillment of stipulations
3 a : disadvantage, loss, or hardship due to some action b : a disadvantage (as loss of yardage, time, or possession of the ball or an addition to or subtraction from the score) imposed on a team or competitor for violation of the rules of a sport

*

Being punished means not being able to go about daily life as one is accustomed. It means enduring suffering and hardship (above and beyond that which one is normally subject to on this mortal coil).

Many people even get let out of prison to work.

[Doc Holliday]

I am totally ok with it. It's the kind of punishment I want to see for this kind of action. I wish there will be more of it.

As BC said, every hockey fans whines about the leagues not being severe anough, but when their own player need to face the consequence, than suddenly it's always too much.

[Skilly]

This was in essence an act of self defense. If we look at the tape before the incident, Stafford attempted to injure Perezhogin 2 or 3 times, in different ways, before he snapped. There was the slash to the back of the legs, the sloo-footing (noboby has ever really showed a good replay of how they fell, but to me in slow motion Stafford's legs appear behind Perezhogin's and the take down looks puposeful), then the high-stick.

This suspension, while one is warranted (I was expecting 20-30 games), amounts to over a year. McSorley received one calendar year. Bertuzzi won't get a full year IMO. So this is going to be the worst suspension in hockey history probably. I am still not convinced the stick hit him in the face (this doesn't mean the severity is less), the replay to me shows the blade hitting Stafford in the shoulder, and the shaft hitting his face when moving upwards.

The Montreal Canadiens will appeal. They have to. They had 12 hours to do so after Dave Andrews made the announcement. However, it is possible that the legal authorities may approach the Habs and agree not to pursue any further action against Perezhogin if the Habs honour the suspension and not appeal. This is one suspension that could end up being reduced just by analyzing the merits, but do the Habs want to if there are other options opened to them.

On that note. The NHL does not in no way have to honour suspensions by the AHL. The AHL does not even exist if not for the NHL, so what the NHL says will go. Back in the 1980's there is a precendent. I believe it was Marc Laforge. He was suspended by the AHL and Hartford (or was it Edmonton?) called him up during his suspension.

If there is no hockey next year I don't see why he would have to clear waiver to play in Europe? But if the IIHF is deadset against him playing in any European leagues, then why not approach the Canadian National team and have him work with them. Send him to the Spengler Cup, the Davos Cup and stuff like that. (I don't think they are IIHF events) The Canadian National team may be the way to go though ...... Nedved played on it, Peter Stastny even played for Canada once ..... so why not? Options will become available.

[Madhabfan]

If Perezhogin gets one year, I better not see Bertuzzi playing hockey ever again.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

- excerpted from this Canadian Press report

Perezhogin, who is from Kazakhstan, read from a statement in Russian at a news conference in Hamilton and concluded in English with: "Thank you. I'm very sorry."

In his statement, translated into English, Perezhogin said: "I deeply regret what happened in relation to this incident. I hope that Garrett Stafford's injuries are not serious and Garrett enjoys a full and speedy recovery.

"I have made efforts to speak with Garrett to convey my feeling. I have fully co-operated with the American Hockey League and the municipal authorities in Hamilton in relation to their investigation and I have answered all of their questions. I must say I did not intend to strike Garrett in the face and my intent was never to hurt or injure Garrett in any way."

Andrews said that if either player's club wanted to appeal the decision, they had to initiate the process within 12 hours and that it would be heard by the league's board of governors.

Perezhogin's NHL rights belong to the Montreal Canadiens. He was drafted in the first round by the Habs in 2001.

Montreal general manager Bob Gainey said he wanted to speak with Perezhogin, his agent Don Meehan and the Bulldogs' management before deciding whether to pursue an appeal.

Gainey, who was at the news conference in Hamilton, said he did not anticipate such a lengthy suspension and his initial reaction to it was "shock."

[clan]

Not enough.
If IwereAHL commisioner I would have banned him for LIFE.
1year is not nearly enough.
He could just as easily KILLED him .
Perogi is lucky he got off as lightly as he did.
He should have been banned from all North American Pro hockey leagues.