Gauthier Suspended Five Ganes; Drewiske Recalled

TORONTO — On February 2, the National Hockey League suspended Los Angeles Kings defenseman Denis Gauthier for five games without pay, the result of a hit on Montreal Canadiens defenseman Josh Gorges during their game at Montreal on January 31.

At 3:50 of the second period, Gauthier laid out Gorges with a vicious hit along the left wing glass in the Kings’ zone.

On the play, Gorges was carrying the puck down left wing when Gauthier lined him up and drilled him into the glass. But Gauthier left his feet on the hit and led with his right elbow, driving it into Gorges’ head.

Gorges got up on his feet after the hit, but was clearly dazed and woozy and had to be helped off the ice. He returned to the game later in the period, But did not play in the third period.

Gauthier received a major penalty for charging and a game misconduct, resulting in his ejection.

There was no word after the game regarding Gorges’ condition, although he missed the Canadiens’ game against Boston on Sunday and he is believed to have sustained a concussion.

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Gauthier will lose $56,451.61. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Gauthier will miss games at Ottawa on February 3, at Washington on February 5, at New Jersey on February 7, at the New York Islanders on February 10 and against Calgary on February 12. He will be eligible to return on February 14 against Edmonton.

In a separate roster move, defenseman Davis Drewiske was recalled from the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League.

Drewiske, 24, has played in 46 games with the Monarchs this season, scoring a goal and adding eleven assists for twelve points with 63 penalty minutes and a +4 plus/minus rating.

The 6-2, 215-pound natie of Hudson, Wisconsin finished his senior season at the University of Wisconsin with five goals and 16 assists for 21 points and 46 penalty minutes while serving as team captain.

Drewiske was signed by the Kings as an unrestricted free agent on April 1, 2008. He will wear jersey number 44.

Gann Matsuda, who has been writing about the Kings since 1986, is the News Editor for the Online Kingdom and covers the Kings for Hockeytalk.biz. He is also the publisher of Frozen Royalty, a blog covering the Kings.