Sharks Defenseman Brad Stuart to Face Disciplinary Hearing for Nash Hit

May 26, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart (7) shoots the puck during the third period in game six of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at HP Pavilion. The Sharks defeated the Kings 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

As we mentioned earlier, Rangers left wing Rick Nash left the game early in the first period last night as the Rangers battled with the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center in California due to an elbow to the head from Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart. It has come to our attention that Stuart will now have to face a disciplinary hearing for the high hit.

NHL.com is reporting that Stuart will have to face the NHL Department of Player Safety in a hearing today to answer for the high elbow he put on Nash.

According to the report, the grounds that are being considered for supplemental discipline in this case are: illegal check to the head. However, let it be known that the Department of Player Safety does retain the right to make adjustments to the infraction pending their review.

It is unknown what kind of penalty, if any, that Stuart will be facing; however, hopefully he will think twice before doing something that could potentially end the career of a fellow player.

We all know that hockey is a rough sport, and that on occasion injuries do happen; however, it is every player’s individual responsibility to make sure that their actions do not willfully injure a fellow player. I am not passing any sort of a judgment on Stuart; that is for Brendan Shanahan to do. I am simply making an observation.

As I said previously, head injuries are certainly nothing to play around with as they can have long term repercussions on not only a player’s career, but on their quality of life.

We will let you know as soon as there is an update on the matter.

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