NEW YORK, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Clarkson was slapped with a 10-game suspension Monday for leaving the bench to join a fight during a weekend exhibition game.
Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel's fight with Buffalo Sabres enforcer John Scott during the third period Sunday triggered a bench-clearing brawl with Clarkson among the first Toronto players to hit the ice.
Clarkson was assessed a game misconduct for his actions, then was hit with an automatic 10-game suspension under NHL rules targeting the "first or second player to leave the players' or penalty bench during an altercation or for the purpose of starting an altercation."
The 29-year-old forward signed a seven-year deal worth a reported $37 million with Toronto in July after playing eight years with the New Jersey Devils.
