OHL suspends Dougie Hamilton 10 games for headshot
IceDogs defenceman's hit against Wolves' MacDonald results in concussion
The Ontario Hockey League suspended Niagara IceDogs defenceman Dougie Hamilton for 10 games Thursday.
Hamilton, who played for Canada at the world junior hockey championship, received the ban for a shot to the head of Sudbury left-winger Michael MacDonald in Niagara's 5-2 victory over the Wolves on Jan. 13.
MacDonald skated into the IceDogs' zone and had his head down as he tried to regain control of the puck after it was been poked free by a Niagara defenceman.
Hamilton connected with MacDonald's head and moved his elbow up into the check, sending the Wolves' captain hard to the ice nearly three minutes into the third period.
Sudbury announced on Jan. 17 that MacDonald would be out indefinitely with a concussion.
The OHL said Hamilton would be banned for 10 games because it was a check to the head of a vulnerable opponent that resulted in an injury.
In-game officials gave Hamilton a two-minute penalty for a check to the head. He and Wolves right-winger Derek Schoenmakers earned two-minute penalties for roughing immediately after the play.
Hamilton was drafted ninth overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2011 NHL draft.