New York Rangers Hot Prospect Christian Thomas Suspended for 10 Games

The New York Rangers have a deep prospect pool and Christian Thomas happens to be towards the top of this list. However, he made headlines for the wrong reasons.

Thomas, of the Oshawa Generals of the OHL, was suspended for 10 regular season games due to the infraction featured in the video.

@TheProspectparkJess RubensteinChristian Thomas Suspended 10 Gamesnblo.gs/p57eM

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While on the ice, Thomas swung his stick and made contact with the defending player's face. He was initially assessed a five-minute match penalty.

The video cites the following reasons for the punishment:

"

DISCIPLINE RATIONALE 

* Glancing blow to the side of helmet

* No serious injury- player returned to play in game

* Persuaded not an intentional blow to the head

* Players must always be responsible for their stick.

"

While it is clear Thomas didn’t intend to do harm, this action needs to be stopped early on. No one knows what could have happened in a situation like this, so Thomas will have to pay the price.

Thomas was off to a hot start with 10 points in 13 regular season games. Hopefully this suspension doesn’t hinder Thomas’ chances of potentially playing for the Canadian World Junior team.

Thomas had high hopes of repeating his 50-goal campaign from last year in the OHL. 10 games seems to be a lot for a situation where no one was hurt.

Stay tuned for an update when more information is available.

In other prospect news, congratulations to Dylan McIlrath for being named to Team WHL for the Subway Super Series.

@TheProspectparkJess RubensteinCongrats to Dylan McIlrath on being named to Team WHL for Subway Super Series

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Tom Urtz Jr is an NHL Featured Columnist. For more NHL free-agent news, updates and alerts about players: