NEW YORK -- Detroit Red Wings defenceman Brendan Smith was suspended for the remainder of the pre-season and five regular-season games on Friday after delivering a check to the head of Chicago's Ben Smith.
The play happened during an exhibition game on Wednesday night.
With Ben Smith skating into the offensive zone, Brendan Smith came across the ice and caught him with a forearm to the head.
The rookie defenceman will forfeit US$23,648.65 and is eligible to return to Detroit's lineup Oct. 22 at Washington.
It was the eighth suspension handed out by new NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan during the pre-season.
Those bans total 29 regular-season games and more than US$660,000 in lost salary.
