Independant Arbitrator Reduces Dennis Wideman Suspension

The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players Association announced on Friday that arbitrator James Oldham has reduced the suspension of Calgary Flames Dennis Wideman from 20 games to 10. 

In a statement released by the league they announced that, “We are in receipt of Arbitrators James Oldham’s opinion in the appeal of Dennis Wideman’s supplementary discipline suspension and reducing the suspension from 20 to 10 games. We strenuously disagree with the arbitrator’s ruling and are reviewing the opinion in detail to determine what next steps will be appropriate.”

The league added, “We will have now comment until we have completed our review. In light of arbitrator Oldham’s opinion, Mr Wideman will be reinstated and will be eligible to participate in his team’s games, effective immediately.”  

The NHLPA also issued a statement saying, “Given that it was undisputed that Dennis suffered a concussion mere seconds prior to his collision with linesman Don Henderson, we felt strongly that there should have been no discipline.”

 

The NHLPA added, “Nonetheless we are pleased that Arbitrator Oldham found that the collision was not intentional and that the suspension was reduced to 10 games. We respect the process and the decision and we look forward to Dennis returning to the ice tonight with his teammates.”  

Wideman was originally suspended by NHL Senior Executive Vice President Colin Campbell, following his collision with the linesman during the second period of the Flames January 27 game against the Nashville Predators. The collision was recorded on video as was Campbell’s opinion upholding the suspension. The league also released the video to the media along with a press release. 

The initial appeal was heard by Commissioner Gary Bettman, on February 2, with the principle evidence being the video of the incident. Henderson had testified on behalf of the league, while Wideman, Dr. Paul Comper and Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher provided evidence for the NHLPA. The NHLPA also provided video of other player’s collisions with officials. 

In the initial appeal Bettman had accepted the expert testimony of the doctors, but also noted that they had not treated Wideman and were only retained by the players’ association to conduct face-time interviews with him shortly after the incident. 

Wideman had already served 19 games of his 20 game suspension prior to the independent arbitrator’s ruling on Friday, as the appeal had gone to Bettman first and then to Oldham. He will get back $282,258 of the $564.516 he was set to forfeit as a result of the suspension. 

In his 20-page ruling, Oldham had agreed with the league’s decision to suspend Wideman, but also disagreed with Bettman that there was any intent to injure the linesman on the play. He also wrote that Wideman’s “exemplary” 11-year career without any discipline, as well as the fact that he had suffered a concussion, played into the decision.