Ice hockey players have long had the reputation for being ruffians, a cause San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres seems to champion.

Torres has been suspended for an incredible 41 matches, without pay, following what has been called ‘interference and an illegal check to the head’. The unlucky recipient was Anaheim Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg, who would have been shocked considering the fact that it was during a preseason game that doesn’t even form part of the regular season. NHL reports:

The incident occurred at 12:45 of the first period. Torres was assessed a match penalty for illegal check to the head.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Torres will forfeit $440,860.29. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

That is one costly pre-game match Raffi, next time you might want to ease into things before trying to take another man’s head clean off his shoulders.

And to think Luis Suarez can feed on opposition players and then moan when he cops an effective 11 match ban.

[source:nhl]