The first round of Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton’s efforts to get his 15-game suspension reduced is over. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan’s ruling over what was called an “act of retribution.”
What happens next is up to Thornton. Under the terms of the new CBA, he can now chose to further appeal his case to a neutral arbitrator. If he takes that route, he will be the first player to do so. However, whatever the arbitrator rules would be “final ... and not subject to review.”
Alternatively, he could simply decide to serve out the remaining seven games and rejoin the Bruins’ lineup on Jan. 11.
For now, his agent, Anton Thun said they are in the process of reviewing Bettman’s ruling, according to Sportsnet’s John Shannon.
Thornton has until Dec. 31 to make his decision.