A former NHL player is facing disciplinary action following a contentious incident in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Anton Lindholm, currently playing for Leksand in the SHL, has come under scrutiny for a shoulder-to-face hit on Henrik Bjorklund of Färjestad.
The SHL's Disciplinary Committee has acted swiftly, imposing a five-game suspension on Lindholm along with a fine exceeding $7000 USD. Lindholm, who has been with Leksand for three seasons, delivered the hit when his team was trailing 3-0.
In their official statement, the committee emphasized that Henrik Bjorklund was not in a vulnerable position, squarely placing the responsibility on Lindholm for the dangerous hit. The statement highlighted, "The hit carried a significant risk of injury and showed disrespect. The player who was tackled cannot be seen as contributing significantly to the impact on the head."
It's important to note that Lindholm had 66 NHL games under his belt, all with the Colorado Avalanche, before leaving the league in 2021. In contrast, Bjorklund, initially drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2009, has not yet ventured into North American hockey.
