Dennis Wideman speaks for the first time since his suspension.

We've heard just about everyone's reaction to the massive 20 game suspension that Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman received for hit on NHL official don Henderson. Everyone that is except the two men who were directly involved.

On Thursday Wideman broke his silence, and although he could not go into any elaborate detail due to his ongoing appeals process, he did reiterate that he did not intentionally strike Henderson. Wideman went on to state that he, like the Flames organization, has always held NHL officials in the highest of regard, and pointed to his track record as evidence of that fact.

Wideman also made it clear that he was extremely disappointed with the NHL's ruling, and the length of his suspension, something which he and the NHLPA intend to fight.

[pub]