TORONTO (March 18, 2010) – Anaheim Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski has been suspended for eight games, without pay, for delivering a hit to the head area of an unsuspecting opponent -- Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook in NHL Game #1041 Wednesday night, the National Hockey League announced today.

The incident occurred at 2:22 of the second period and resulted in Wisniewski being assessed a minor penalty for charging. Seabrook suffered an injury on the play.

Wisniewski, who was suspended for two games on October 31, 2009, now is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Accordingly, he forfeits $268,292.72 in salary, based on the number of games in the season (82), rather than the number of days (193). The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

"Mr. Wisniewski delivered a retaliatory hit to the head of an opponent who never had possession of the puck," said Colin Campbell, NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. "The fact that Mr. Wisniewski is a repeat offender also entered into this decision."

Wisniewski will be eligible to return April 3 at Los Angeles.