Controversial Hit Leads To A Massive Suspension

A former NHL player is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons as he faces a substantial suspension following a concerning incident in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Anton Lindholm, who currently plays 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 a part of Leksand for three seasons, delivered the hit when his team was trailing 3-0.

In their official ruling, the committee made it abundantly clear that Henrik Bjorklund was not in a vulnerable position, squarely placing the responsibility on Lindholm for the dangerous hit. Their statement emphasized, "The hit carries a high risk of injury and is disrespectful. The player who was tackled cannot be seen as contributing significantly to the impact on the head."


It's worth noting that Lindholm had 66 NHL games under his belt, all with the Colorado Avalanche, before leaving the league in 2021. On the other hand, Bjorklund, originally drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2009, has yet to venture into North American hockey.