STOCKHOLM – The IIHF Independent Disciplinary Panel has suspended Swedish defenceman Alexander Edler for a knee-on-knee hit against Canadian forward Eric Staal. Edler will miss the remainder of the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.

The incident occurred at 15:52 in the first period. Edler collided with Staal at centre ice, a hit which had Staal immediately fall down to the ice, favoring his leg and visibly in pain.

Team Canada’s captain had to be helped off the rink and did not return.  

After reviewing the video evidence and the respective reports, including the Game Supervisor Report, the Referee Supervisor Report, the verbal medical report and the report from the hearing with the player, the panel has determined that Edler should have been penalized with a match penalty as he was in clear violation of the playing rule 536b (Kneeing).

On the play, Edler was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct.

The disciplinary panel deemed Edler’s action as reckless, dangerous and that it was in disregard to the vulnerability of his opponent and for that he must be held accountable.

It is the 26th suspension in the men’s IIHF World Championship since 2010.

Any additional suspension, exceeding the duration of the tournament, will be handled by the disciplinary panel to the IIHF Disciplinary Committee.