Tanner Jeannot, a forward for the Los Angeles Kings, has been suspended for three games by the NHL Department of Player Safety for illegally checking Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser in the head on Thursday night. Boeser was clearly upset by the hit, which happened during the first period of the Kings’ 4-2 loss to Vancouver, and he was forced to leave the game. Jeannot’s shoulder struck Boeser’s head directly, blindside him as he was skating through the neutral zone after passing the puck. After examining the incident, the Department of Player Safety determined that the hit was an unlawful check to the head, and Jeannot was immediately issued a match penalty and removed from the contest. Jeannot was suspended after league officials declared that he was “in control of this hit” following their review of the head hit.
In a video released by the Associated Press to explain the ban, the league stated, “Jeannot is in control of this hit, and he chooses an angle of approach that cuts across the front of Boeser, missing his core and making his head the main point of contact.” “If Jeannot wants to deliver this cheque, he must stay low and take an angle that hits through Boeser’s shoulder and core, rather than one that makes the head the main point of contact.” Jeannot had already received a punishment in 2022 for kneeing Brady Tkachuk of Ottawa. This time, his ban will cost him $41,640.63 in pay, which will be donated to the NHL Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Jeannot will miss the Kings’ next games against Columbus, Calgary, and Colorado after finding out about his ban. He has one goal and one assist in 15 games this season. On November 16, when Los Angeles plays the Detroit Red Wings, he will be able to make a comeback. In the meanwhile, Boeser is being watched; however, the Canucks have not yet disclosed when he will return or the severity of his injury, if any. With six goals this season, the Canucks forward leads the team.