SAN JOSE – Ozzy Wiesblatt, a San Jose Sharks first-round draft pick from three years ago now with the Barracuda, was given a three-game suspension by the American Hockey League on Saturday for an illegal check to the head of a Rockford IceHogs player.
The hit occurred Friday night in a game at Tech CU Arena in San Jose. Wiesblatt will miss San Jose’s games tonight vs. Rockford and Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 at Henderson.
Wiesblatt, 21, had just come onto the ice when skated into the Rockford zone and leveled IceHogs forward Kale Howarth, who didn’t have the puck. Howarth, listed at 6-foot-5 and 201 pounds, remained down on the ice for several moments before being helped off.
Wiesblatt, at 5-10 and 185 pounds, was given a five-minute major and a match penalty at the 3:12 mark of the second period for an illegal check to the head. Under AHL rules, any player receiving a match penalty remains suspended until the matter can be reviewed by the league president.
The AHL’s player safety committee met Saturday morning and leveled the suspension on Wiesblatt, who was drafted 31st overall by the Sharks in 2020. The Barracuda were playing their first game of the season.
After the incident, the IceHogs scored twice on the ensuing power play, increasing their lead to 4-1. Rockford scored three more goals in the third period and won the game 7-2.
After he was drafted, Wiesblatt was signed by the Sharks to a three-year, entry-level contract. He played nearly two more full seasons with Prince Albert of the WHL before he turned professional last season.
In 45 games with the Barracuda in 2022-23, Wiesblatt had six goals, nine assists, and 30 penalty minutes. He is in the second year of his contract.
