Tom Wilson Avoids Suspension For Charging Brayden Schenn

Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson did not receive any supplementary discipline from the NHL Department of Player Safety for charging Philadelphia Flyers center Brayden Schenn on Tuesday.

Coach Adam Oates was steadfast in his defense of the 19-year-old rookie, reasserting his position following practice on Thursday that Schenn put himself in a vulnerable position and worsened the effect of the hit as a result.

League disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan agreed, adding that Wilson's decision to hit Schenn was not made until the former was inside the offensive zone faceoff circle despite traveling half the distance of the ice beforehand. 

“We agree with the league’s position that it was a clean hit," Capitals General Manager George McPhee said in a statement. "There should not have been a penalty on the play. It was a punishing hit, not predatory or otherwise illegal. Under our current rules, punishing but clean hits are permitted. We are happy that Tom Wilson was vindicated and Brayden Schenn is not injured.”


Follow Adam on Twitter @AdamVingan and e-mail your story ideas to adamvingan (at) gmail.com.

Contact Us