Former Red Wings Player Suspended For Sucker Punch

Former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Robert Hagg has been suspended in Sweden after sucker-punching an opponent during a game.

Hagg, who plays for Brynas, was handed a three-game sit-down by the Swedish Ice Hockey Association’s Disciplinary Committee after punching Olivier Nadeau of Vaxjo in the back of the head during a goalmouth scuffle in Saturday’s game. Hagg was also fined 20,500 Swedish Kronor, about $2,000.

“Nadeau cannot defend himself,” the report states. It goes on to describe the blow as a “sucker punch.”

Nadeau fell to the ice after being struck by Hagg’s clenched fist. In his defense, Hagg insists that he was never seeking to injure Nadeau.

“I put my hand up against his back to push him with an open hand, but it slides up towards his neck,” Hagg said, according to Swedish website Aftonbladet.

Hagg was not penalized on the play.

The disciplinary committee indicated that it was taking two key factors into consideration when issuing the suspension. First, there is the risk of injury to Nadeau. Secondly, it was believed that Hagg delivered a deliberate blow to the neck against a player who cannot defend himself.

“The committee finds it established that Robert Hagg was guilty of Fighting,” noted the report of the disciplinary committee. “The offense should result in a suspension.

“The length of the suspension is determined to be a period of time that is deemed to correspond to three matches. He must also pay a fine in the amount stated in the decision.”

Hagg Spent One Season With Red Wings

Signed as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2022, Hagg spent the 2022-23 season with the Red Wings. In 38 games, he accounted for 2-5-7 totals and a minus-five rating.

He was signed after another UFA addition, Mark Pysyk, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during summer training.

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