NHL upset Watson's suspension was reduced
ByReuters
Published 12/10/2018 at 22:25 GMT
The NHL expressed disappointment on Friday that a 27-game suspension for domestic violence issued to Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson was reduced to 18 games one day earlier.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Independent arbitrator Shyam Das made the decision Thursday to trim the length
of Watson's suspension.
of Watson's suspension.
"The NHL remains committed to continuing to do what we believe is right. And,
in this regard, we intend to continue our steadfast efforts to ensure everyone
in our League is adequately educated and sensitized to the importance of this
serious social issue," the league said in a statement. "We will not hesitate
to adhere to and enforce -- through firm discipline as necessary -- the
standards of personal conduct we feel are appropriate for our League."
in this regard, we intend to continue our steadfast efforts to ensure everyone
in our League is adequately educated and sensitized to the importance of this
serious social issue," the league said in a statement. "We will not hesitate
to adhere to and enforce -- through firm discipline as necessary -- the
standards of personal conduct we feel are appropriate for our League."
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman issued the 27-game suspension without pay to
Watson last month. On Thursday, the NHL and NHL Players' Association jointly
announced the reduction.
Watson last month. On Thursday, the NHL and NHL Players' Association jointly
announced the reduction.
Watson was suspended after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor domestic
assault charge in July.
assault charge in July.
The 6-foot-4 forward will be allowed to rejoin the team for a Nov. 15 game at
Arizona.
Arizona.
"We are aware of its reduction to 18 games," said the Predators in a statement
after Thursday's announcement. "As previously stated, our focus has and will
continue to be the health and well-being of Austin and his family."
after Thursday's announcement. "As previously stated, our focus has and will
continue to be the health and well-being of Austin and his family."
The charge involved an incident that occurred in June with Watson's
girlfriend. The prosecutor said the woman had asked for a dismissal of the
case, but prosecutors proceeded because there were witnesses.
girlfriend. The prosecutor said the woman had asked for a dismissal of the
case, but prosecutors proceeded because there were witnesses.
Watson, 26, was arrested June 16 by police in Franklin, Tenn. Police said he
assaulted his girlfriend, who gave birth to their child in April. Police said
the two argued at a gas station and he admitted to pushing the woman.
assaulted his girlfriend, who gave birth to their child in April. Police said
the two argued at a gas station and he admitted to pushing the woman.
As a result of the plea in Williamson County General Sessions court, Watson
received three months of probation and is required to complete a 26-week
batterer prevention course. If he violates probation, he could spend up to one
year in jail. If he abides by all stipulations, the charge will be expunged
from his record.
received three months of probation and is required to complete a 26-week
batterer prevention course. If he violates probation, he could spend up to one
year in jail. If he abides by all stipulations, the charge will be expunged
from his record.
Watson was a first-round pick of the Predators in the 2010 draft and signed a
three-year, $3.3 million contract a year ago. He scored a career-high 14 goals
in the 2017-18 season.
three-year, $3.3 million contract a year ago. He scored a career-high 14 goals
in the 2017-18 season.
Unlike other major sports, the NHL does not have a specific domestic abuse
policy and judges incidents separately.
policy and judges incidents separately.
--Field Level Media
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