The NHL Department of Player Safety announced its decision for supplemental discipline for Chicago Blackhawks forward Brett Connolly on Sunday, suspending Connolly for four games for interference on forward Tanner Kero during the Blackhawks’ game against the Dallas Stars on Saturday.
Chicago’s Brett Connolly has been suspended for four games for Interference on Dallas’ Tanner Kero. https://t.co/6g23ix1zDh
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 20, 2021
Connolly was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for the hit.
Connolly, a veteran of 529 NHL games, had never been fined or suspended prior to the incident. The former sixth overall pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft has appeared in two games with the Hawks this season after starting the campaign with the Rockford IceHogs, where he played in 16 games prior to his recall to the Blackhawks.
The Campbell River, British Columbia, native was acquired by Chicago on April 8 along with Henrik Borgstrom, Riley Stillman and a 2021 seventh-round pick from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Lucas Carlsson and Lucas Wallmark. Connolly played in 10 games for the Hawks last season after the trade.
As the Blackhawks’ schedule currently stands, Connolly will be eligible to return to the lineup on Jan. 2 when the Hawks host the Calgary Flames.
Chicago will next be in action on Thursday, hosting the Stars in a rematch contest. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST.