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Sharks' Torres apologizes for headshot that earned him 41-game suspension

Rocky Widner / Getty Images Sport / Getty

San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres issued an apology Thursday for his hit to the head of Anaheim Ducks winger Jakob Silfverberg.

“I accept the 41-game suspension handed down to me by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety," Torres wrote in a statement.

"I worked extremely hard over the last two years following reconstructive knee surgery to resume my NHL career, and this is the last thing I wanted to happen. I am disappointed I have put myself in a position to be suspended again. I sincerely apologize to Jakob for the hit that led to this suspension, and I’m extremely thankful that he wasn’t seriously injured as a result of the play. I also want to apologize to my Sharks teammates and the organization.”

Sharks general manager Doug Wilson says the club isn't going to oppose the decision to suspend Torres for half of the regular season.

"The Sharks organization fully supports the NHL’s supplementary discipline decision regarding Raffi," Wilson wrote in a statement of his own.

"While we do not believe there was any malicious intent, this type of hit is unacceptable and has no place in our game. There is a difference between playing hard and crossing the line and there is no doubt, in this instance, Raffi crossed that line. We’re very thankful that Jakob was not seriously injured as a result of this play.”

Torres was handed the lengthy ban Monday for hitting Silfverberg during the Ducks' preseason victory over the Sharks on Saturday.

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