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PHILADELPHIA -- Flyers rookie Steve Downie's NHL debut is on hold. So is Dean McAmmond's 13-year career.
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Downie received a 20-game suspension from the NHL on Friday for leaving his feet to deliver a deliberate and dangerous hit to the head of the Ottawa forward, one of the longest punishments in league history.
"It's a hit that as soon you see it live, you think, 'This is going to be a bad one," NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell said.
Downie received a match penalty and was automatically suspended until Friday's hearing in Toronto. His suspension matched the fourth-longest in league history, falling five games shy of the league-record handed down against Islanders forward Chris Simon for his two-handed stick attack to the face of Ryan Hollweg of the New York Rangers in March.
"I'm disappointed with the outcome," Downie said. "But I'm going to take this in a positive way, work hard, get in better shape and be prepared for when the suspension is over."
McAmmond was taken off the ice on a stretcher in the second period of Tuesday's preseason game and is out indefinitely with a concussion.
"The hit was deliberate, dangerous and has no place in our league," Campbell said. "He crossed a line in a wholehearted way."
McAmmond has a history of concussions and was knocked out of the playoffs last spring after a hit to the head by Anaheim defenseman Chris Pronger. Pronger received a one-game ban for that hit, one of many leveled at the head last season that forced the NHL to crack down.
"I feel the ruling is strong enough to prevent these things from happening in the future," McAmmond said in a statement on the team's website. "At this point, the NHL needs to a make a statement to try to protect players, and I hope that a suspension of this length will do that successfully."
Campbell said Downie's hit met the four requirements for a stiff punishment on a blow to a player's head: the head was intentionally targeted; a player launched himself by leaving his feet to hit a player in the head area; the hit was delivered to an unsuspecting opponent; and the lateness of the hit.
"I think it's harsh. But is it fair? I don't know," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "I do think Colin Campbell has a very difficult job and I respect him for the work he does. Having said that, we'll certainly live with it and do our best to get through it."
Holmgren said Downie was remorseful and understands the ramifications of his actions.
Campbell said Downie would be available to play for the Flyers' minor league affiliate in the AHL. Downie also was not eligible to play in the Flyers two remaining preseason games, including Friday night at Washington.
