As reported by our friends at SB Nation College Hockey, Maple Leafs prospect Nolan Vesey has been suspended by Hockey East, the division of the NCAA in which his University of Maine Black Bears play.
The suspension is for one game.
The incident involving the Leafs 2014 sixth round draft pick occurred yesterday during the second game of the Black Bears' weekend series with Boston College.
With the clock run out and the game over Vesey skated up to Boston College's goalie, and Vancouver Canucks prospect, Thatcher Demko and speared him. Boston College players were quick to react and a brief brawl broke out before officials jumped in to settle the matter.
Demko was not injured. He has had a historically good season to date.
The two teams had been chippy all night, with several misconducts already handed out before Vesey gave Demko the stick poke. As reported by SB Nation's BC Interruption, the game's penalty list was quite long.
Highlighted there is Maine goaltender Rob McGovern, whom you may note did not have someone serve his penalty for him.
Yes. That's right. The goalie sat in box!
Rob McGovern's out. #HockeyEast pic.twitter.com/f9EpgTqQYa
— Joshua Kummins (@JoshuaKummins) November 8, 2015
Nolan Vesey was the Leafs selection at 158 in the 2014 NHL draft. Last season at forward he had 10 goals and 13 assists in 36 games. This season, after 9 games, he has yet to earn a single point. SB Nation's College Hockey site has recently published a post on the collapse of the Black Bears hockey program which is worth a read.
The Maple Leafs have not commented on Vesey's suspension.
Related story from PPP: Bracco thriving with Kitchener Rangers after leaving Boston College.