BOUCHERVILLE, Que. -- The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has suspended Val-d'Or Foreurs defenceman Marco Scandella indefinitely for hitting an opponent in the head.
The incident occurred in a game Wednesday against the Rimouski Oceanic.
"This afternoon, (QMJHL disciplinarian) Raymond Bolduc informed me of his decision to suspend Marco Scandella indefinitely," league commissioner Gilles Courteau said in a statement. "After seeing the hit, I believe it is the right decision while the disciplinary process runs its course.
"Our position is clear: We have a responsibility to protect our players. Their safety is our No. 1 priority."
Scandella was considered to be one of Canada's top defencemen at this year's world junior hockey championship.
Bolduc will gather testimonies from on-ice officials as well as players and members of both organizations, then analyse the facts and review his findings with a committee before deciding what action to take.
No timetable regarding when a decision will be reached has been set.
Last month, the QMJHL suspended Patrice Cormier of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies for the rest of the season for elbowing a Quebec Remparts player in the head during a game.
Cormier was the captain of Canada's world junior team.
