OHL suspends Sarnia forward Noah Bushnell 10 games for preseason hit

The OHL season hasn't even started yet, but that hasn't stopped the league from handing out a hefty suspension. On Friday, Sarnia Sting forward Noah Bushnell was suspended for the first 10 games of the 2014-15 season for his hit on London defenceman Julius Bergman during a Sept. 5, pre-season game.

The OHL doesn't allow for embedded video, but you can see the full clip here.

As you can see from the above still, Bushnell's elbow is out and he makes contact with Bergman's chin.

Adding to the league's decision was the fact that Bergman was injured on the play. The Swedish blueliner was taken out of the game and was kept off the ice in camp by the Knights to err on the side of caution.

“He's got a little bit of a stinger so we're just taking a precaution on it,” Mark Hunter told London Free Press reporter Ryan Pyette.

Bergman was a secound round pick - 46th overall - of the San Jose Sharks in June and signed a contract with them in July. Camp in San Jose opened on Friday and Bergman's there, so he seems to be no worse for wear after the hit.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 202-pounds, Bushnell, 17, is eligible for this year's NHL draft. So losing 10 games to suspension in his draft will defintely hurt the Sarnia sophomore.

Bushnell should be able to return to the lineup on Oct. 24 against the Belleville Bulls. Losing him until later next month is, withouth doubt, a blow to a Sting team looking to build into a playoff contender this season.

That Bushnell was suspended for this long shouldn't come as much as a surprise to OHL observers as commissioner Dave Branch has been cracking down - particularly on headshots. This summer the OHL announced new rules to further curb fighting and deter hits to the head.

Now a third game misconduct during the season for any five minute major and game misconduct penalty for checking to the head, checking from behind, boarding, kneeing or clipping - sans previous suspension - will get an automatic one game ban.

In addition if a player gets a fourth minor penalty during the season for checking to the head (among other penalties) that will also result in a one game suspension. So, if there's any good news for Sarnia, it's that this infraction won't count against Bushnell and he'll begin with a clean slate even if it's a month later than everyone else.