Devastating news for NHL official hit by Dennis Wideman.

The National Hockey League made it very clear that they were not pleased with the neutral arbitrator's decision to reduce the suspension of Calgary Flames forward Dennis Wideman. The NHL clearly felt the hit on NHL official Don Henderson warranted the full twenty games, and a recent statement from the National Hockey League Officials Association may have revealed the reason behind that displeasure.

The statement in full as per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman:

"The NHLOA strongly disagrees with the arbitrator's decision to reduce Dennis Wideman's suspension to 10 games while linesman Don Henderson continues to recover from an injury inflicted by the player that will sideline him for the rest of the season. The message in reducing the suspension that is sent to NHL players, as well as athletes all over the world, including children, is that the code of conduct towards officials has changed. The NHLOA intends to take all steps necessary so that its members are protected in the future and ensure that this type of conduct by a player against an official never happens again."

The revelation that Henderson will miss the remainder of the season as a result of his injury could explain the NHL's desire to impose the full twenty games. It could also explain why the NHL appears to intend to continue this appeals process as revealed earlier this week when Sportsnet's insider Nick Kypreos revealed that there had been suggestions of taking this appeal to federal court.

[pub]