Hockey

Blackhawks' Hjalmarsson suspended for hit on Blues' Rattie

Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson has been suspended for the rest of the pre-season and the regular-season opener against St. Louis for charging Blues forward Ty Rattie.

Will sit out rest of pre-season and 1 regular-season game

Chicago's Niklas Hjalmarsson has been suspended for a hit on St. Louis' Ty Rattie on Saturday. (Derek Leung/Getty Images)

Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson has been suspended for the rest of the pre-season and the regular-season opener against St. Louis for charging Blues forward Ty Rattie.

Hjalmarsson also loses $22,777.78 in salary, which goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced the punishment on Monday. Hjalmarsson's hit on Rattie occurred at 18:55 of the third period in Chicago's 4-0 exhibition win on Saturday. Hjalmarsson received a match penalty for an illegal check to the head.