NHL suspends Jesse Boulerice from 25 games

NHL suspends Jesse Boulerice from 25 games

Jesse Boulerice, who got suspension for hitting a player in the face with his stick, was placed on waivers by the Flyers on Monday.

The 29-year-old Boulerice was suspended 25 games by the NHL for cross-checking the Canucks' Ryan Kesler in the face on Wednesday. The penalty matched the ban given to New York Islanders forward Chris Simon in March for his two-handed stick attack of Ryan Hollweg of the New York Rangers.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said the decision was based on the team's need for more roster space while dealing with injuries.

"It just gives us more freedom to do more things with our roster, that's all," Holmgren said. "Other than that, there's nothing behind it."