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Senior league player gets 16-game ban for hit on ex-NHLer Ryan Smyth (Video)

Sean Leahy
·Contributing writer
EDMONTON, AB – APRIL 6: Former Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Smyth greets the fans during the closing ceremonies at Rexall Place following the game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks on April 6, 2016 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The game was the final game the Oilers played at Rexall Place before moving to Rogers Place next season. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

Hockey Alberta has announced that Kyle Sheen of the Lacombe Generals has been suspended 16 games for this hit on former NHLer Ryan Smyth during Game 1 of the Chinook Hockey League finals earlier this month:

“My intent was to finish a clean hit with a guy that was cutting across the middle, trying to score a goal,” said Sheen, who was ejected from the game. “To turn around and see him laying there, you could see the blood from the cut on his face on his visor. It was not a good feeling in my stomach. It made me feel sick.”

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Smyth was taken to a local hospital for a CAT scan and Tweeted out the next day that he was feeling better after the scary hit.

Smyth, who was in attendance for Monday night’s Oilers win over the Kings, only needed stitches, but has not suited up for the Stony Plain Eagles since. The series is currently tied 2-2 with Game 5 set for Friday night

“Ryan is progressing and hopefully we’ll know more this week. I believe he tried skating today, but I haven’t heard how that went,” said Eagles coach Mike Tavaroli via CBC. “We’re hopeful that we can get Ryan back in the lineup before the series is over.”

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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