Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly
Photo credit: The Globe And Mail

BREAKING: Morgan Rielly's Return Date Has Been Confirmed Following Suspension Appeal

Published February 20, 2024 at 1:07 PM
BY SAMER
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In breaking news, Morgan Rielly's fate in regards to his suspension appeal has been confirmed.

Gary Bettman Denies Morgan Rielly's Suspension Appeal



NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has decided to uphold Morgan Rielly's five-game suspension after an appeal.

«As noted in the suspension video, Mr. Rielly pursued Mr. Greig for some time and had sufficient opportunity to engage him in a different manner, e.g, with a push or a shove or even by dropping his gloves to fight," Bettman said in a prepared statement.


«Mr. Rielly himself testified that he could have engaged Mr. Greig in another manner and that he intended to engage Mr. Greig verbally.»

«Mr. Rielly admitted that that his cross-check was intentional.»



In a prepared statement, Bettman pointed out that Rielly had ample opportunity to handle the situation differently, such as with a push, a shove, or even by dropping his gloves to fight. Rielly himself admitted that he could have engaged verbally instead.

Bettman emphasized that Rielly acknowledged the intentional nature of his cross-check. One factor in the decision was Rielly's clean disciplinary history, which influenced the length of the suspension.


With that being said, Morgan Rielly is officially set to return to the Leafs lineup on Thursday in Vegas against the Golden Knights.

Do you think the suspension is fair?
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February 20   |   200 answers
BREAKING: Morgan Rielly's Return Date Has Been Confirmed Following Suspension Appeal

Do you think the 5 game suspension was fair?

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