Gregory Campbell confirms Dennis Wideman text message

Gregory Campbell confirmed that he received a text message from Dennis Wideman after Wideman hit linesman Don Henderson in the head.

The Columbus Dispatch spoke to Campbell, son of NHL hockey operations director Colin Campbell who gave Wideman a 20 game suspension. Gregory Campbell, a forward with the Columbus Blue Jackets, said he and Wideman messaged back and forth shortly after the Jan. 27 incident where he hit Henderson in the head.

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On Friday, independent arbitrator James Oldham reduced Wideman’s suspension from 20 games to 10 games after a lengthy appeal process. In his ruling, Oldham noted a text message from Wideman to Campbell.

It was assumed this was the text message commissioner Gary Bettman noted in his ruling where Wideman ripped the "stupid refs and stupid media." Bettman believed apologies by Wideman rang, "somewhat hollow" because of the text message.

Oldham’s ruling noted how “Wideman, Campbell and others exchanged messages about how the referees’ Union was stirring up the matter.”

According to TSN’s Frank Seravalli, the text message noted by Bettman was not sent to Gregory Campbell and instead was sent to Calgary captain Mark Giordano. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos said he spoke to Wideman who told him the text was not sent to Gregory Campbell.

Because it was an arbitration hearing, neither side could say no to a request of cell phone text message records. Campbell did not divulge exactly what was written in the text message that was sent to him.

"Dennis and I are good friends, so when it happened, we were messaging back and forth," Campbell said to the Dispatch. "Obviously my dad made the ruling. Dennis leaned on me for support. As a friend and as a player, I support Dennis. I know what kind of person he is.

Added Campbell, "He knew my dad was doing the hearing and wanted to lean on me for support. I fully supported Dennis. I know it's a tough call, but I know the type of person he is. I didn't think it was intentional."

According to the story, Gregory Campbell received the text message while he was with his parents celebrating Colin Campbell’s 63rd birthday.

"It bothers me sometimes, because in a situation like this ... I had nothing to do with this. I wasn't in the play. I wasn't in the game. I was being supportive of my friend and fellow player. That's all. My dad had a job to do and he did his job."

Wideman spoke Friday night after he played in his first game since the Jan. 27 incident, but did not address the text message.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper