McSorley Suspended Until Feb. 20

The punishment phase of the Marty McSorley-Donald Brashear slashing incident drew to a close Tuesday.

Marty McSorley was suspended through Feb. 20 by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Tuesday for slashing Donald Brashear across the head.

That makes the total suspension for the former Boston Bruins defenseman one year - the longest for an on-ice act of violence in NHL history.

Bettman had suspended McSorley indefinitely after the attack during a game in Vancouver on Feb. 21, 2000.

McSorley was convicted last month in a Canadian court, but received a suspended sentence.

McSorley, a free agent, can negotiate and sign with any NHL club, and he can begin practicing on Jan. 1. But he can't play until Feb. 21.

McSorley originally was suspended for the remainder of the 1999-00 season and playoffs by Bettman, who noted that the player skipped a hearing held two days after the game.

He then was convicted of assault with a weapon on Oct. 6, with Judge William Kitchen giving McSorley a conditional discharge, meaning McSorley will not have a criminal record.

The conviction, which McSorley said he will not appeal, was the first of an NHL player for an on-ice hit since 1988.

McSorley, a 17-year NHL veteran, met with Bettman a week ago, seeking approval to resume his career.

Bettman looked at enhanced videotapes of the slash before rendering his decision. McSorley claimed he was trying to goad Brashear into a fight late in a 5-2 loss and was not attempting to injure him.

Brashear missed 20 games with a concussion, but rejoined the Canucks last season.

Before making his decision, Bettman met with McSorley, his agents Mike Barnett and J.P. Barry, and his attorney Paul Kelly. Ian Pulver and Ian Penny of the NHL Players Association participated in the meeting by telephone, while Bettman was joined by Colin Campbell, the league's executive vice president and director of hockey operations, who handles most disciplinary cases.

"I believe I owe it both to this player and to all other present and future NHL players to impose a suspension of a definite and ascertainable length," Bettman said. "I have also considered Mr. McSorley's desire to have an opportunity to play in the NHL again in conjunction with his expressed remorse for his actions.

"I simply cannot in good conscience justify imposing a suspension of less than one calendar year given the nature of the incident in question, regardless of the effect that suspenson may have on Mr. McSorley's career. At the same time, however, by imposing a suspension of one year (as opposed to a set number of games), and with the suspension scheduled to end nearly one full month before this season's trade deadline, I believe it is quite possible that Mr. McSorley might, in fact, be able to sign another NHL contract and therefore continue his NHL career during the 2000-01 season."

Phone calls to McSorley, his agent, and the Bruins were not immediately returned.