3 of the NHL's most significant suspensions for abuse of an official
Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman was suspended indefinitely Thursday pending a hearing for cross-checking linesman Don Henderson during Wednesday's game against the Nashville Predators.
Related: Flames' Wideman blasts through linesman on way to bench
Although the veteran defenseman claims the incident was "completely unintentional," he's facing potential long-term supplemental discipline from the NHL's Department of Player Safety.
Here are three other instances a player has received a lengthy suspension for abuse of an official:
1. Jaromir Jagr - 10 games - Jan. 26, 1992
Nearly 24 years to the day of Wideman's suspension, Jaromir Jagr found himself in a very similar situation with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992.
Jagr - who was an NHL sophomore at the time - was ejected from a game against the Washington Capitals when it was deemed that he intentionally skated into referee Ron Hoggarth.
The superstar was eventually handed a 10-game ban for abuse of an official, and the Penguins put together a record of 2-6-2 in his absence. The incident certainly didn't have a long-term effect on the Penguins' season: Jagr finished the campaign with 69 points in 70 games, and the Penguins went on to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup.
2. Maurice Richard - Season - March 13, 1955
Nearly 61 years ago, Montreal Canadiens legend Maurice Richard sparked one of the darkest days in NHL history: The Richard Riots.
During an altercation with the rival Boston Bruins, Richard was hit with a high stick by Bruins' defenseman Hal Laycoe. Seeking retribution, Richard attacked Laycoe with his stick. As linesman Cliff Thompson attempted to break up the melee, he was hit by a punch to the head from Richard.
Richard - who was well on his way to yet another scoring title at the time - was ejected from the game after being assessed a match penalty. The following day, it was deemed he would sit out the remainder of the regular season and playoffs for his actions.
On March 17, 1955, NHL president Clarence Campbell attended Montreal's following game against the Detroit Red Wings. He was the target of abuse from fans across the Montreal Forum as a result of the suspension, and the melee eventually prompted the release of tear gas in the arena. The game was cut short, resulting in a Red Wings win. The Canadiens went on to lose in the Stanley Cup finals later that season.
3. Daniel Carcillo - 10 games - May 22, 2014
During Game 3 of the heated Eastern Conference finals against the Canadiens, New York Rangers forward Daniel Carcillo was given an automatic 10-game suspension after he "physically applied force" to linesman Scott Driscoll.
Carcillo clearly made significant contact with Driscoll while being escorted to the penalty box during a fight between Brandon Prust and Derek Dorsett. He was given a game misconduct, and did not play another game in the playoffs.
The Rangers went on to lose in the Stanley Cup finals, with Carcillo's suspension carrying over to the following season. The tough guy eventually joined the Chicago Blackhawks, winning a Stanley Cup before announcing his retirement from the NHL.