Philadelphia Flyers forward Jody Shelley was suspended five pre-season games and five regular season games on Thursday for his hit from behind on Darryl Boyce of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.
Boyce went to the dressing room following the hit with a broken nose but later returned to the game.
The incident occurred in the second period of Wednesday night's contest between the Flyers and the Leafs in Philadelphia.
After playing the puck behind the Flyers goal, Boyce was hit into the boards from behind by Shelley who was assessed a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct.
"The video clearly shows that Boyce has his back to Shelley well before the contact," said NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan in a video explanation. "Boyce does not put himself in this position immediately prior to, or simultaneously, with the check. Shelley has time to avoid the check completely or at the very least minimize the contact.
"This is a clear violation of the boarding rule."
Following the game, the 27-year-old Leafs forward believed Shelley's hit to be against the rules.
"I think it was late for sure," said Boyce. "My back was to the wall so definitely not a clean hit."
The 35-year-old Shelley was suspended twice last season in the month of December for incidents involving Adam McQuaid of the Boston Bruins and Andrew Alberts of the Vancouver Canucks.
The Thompson, Manitoba native was levied two games for each infraction.
