Capitals' Tom Wilson to have appeal hearing next week
Written By Chelsea Howard
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Washington Capitals v Toronto Maple Leafs
Capitals winger Tom Wilson's appeal against his 20-game suspension for a brutal hit during the preseason has been scheduled for Thursday, according to Sportsnet.
The appeal hearing on the 20-game suspension to #caps Tom Wilson will be held Thursday. The first appeal is heard by commissioner Gary Bettman. It can go to a neutral arbitrator after that.
- Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 13, 2018
The first appeal will be heard by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and then it can go to a neutral arbitrator. Wilson will be ineligible to play during the appeal process, according to the report.
The hit occurred in the Capitals' preseason game Sept. 30 against the Blues. Wilson leveled St. Louis center Oskar Sundqvist in the head as he was cutting across the ice in the second period. Sundqvist left the game bloodied and did not return, while Wilson was ejected after being assessed a 10-minute penalty.
Tom Wilson's hit on Oskar Sundqvist. Wilson received a match penalty. pic.twitter.com/gseYif7Fz4
- Ian Oland (@ianoland) September 30, 2018
Wilson is considered a repeat offender after being suspended three times for hard hits last season, one of which resulted in a broken jaw and concussion for Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese during the postseason.
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Wilson, 24, signed a six-year contract worth $31 million in July after logging a career-high 14 goals and 21 assists in 78 games last season. He later added five goals and 10 assists in 21 playoff games as Washington won its first Stanley Cup.
Wilson will serve the fifth game of his suspension Saturday as the Capitals take on the Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. ET.