Vancouver Canucks Coach Rick Tocchet Speaks Out Against Ryan Reaves & his Illegal Hit on Darnell Nurse

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Cooper Godin
November 18, 2024 (12:07)

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Rick Tocchet recently spoke about Ryan Reaves' hit on Darnell Nurse, saying it's something that doesn't belong in the National Hockey League or in the game at all.

The eyes of the hockey world were peeled to social media on Sunday as everyone awaited the outcome of Ryan Reaves' hit on Edmonton Oilers defeseman Darnell Nurse.

During Saturday's game between Toronto and Edmonton, Ryan Reaves came in and caught Darnell Nurse in the head with his shoulder, resulting in the Maple Leafs forward being handed a match penalty.

When a match penalty is issues, there is an automatic subject to review by the NHL's Department of Player Safety.

After reviewing the incident, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety decided to give Ryan Reaves a five-game suspension.

Reaves will be eligible to return to the Maple Leafs' lineup on Wednesday, December 4th against the Nashville Predators.

Rick Tocchet says hits like Reaves' on Nurse need to be out of the game

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet was recently asked for his thoughts on the hit.

Tocchet said that while he's not sure Reaves was purposely trying to get Nurse in the head, he has to be more responsible and those are the types of hits that don't belong in the game of hockey.

"You're have to have awareness obviously," said Tocchet. "I'm not sure Reaves tried to do that (illegal check to the head) but you have to be responsible. That's a hit we've got to get out of the game. I had to change the way I hit. I got a couple of suspensions with my knee. I wasn't trying to knee a guy, it was just me skating style. I had to change it."

Nurse left the game on Saturday and did not return, but thankfully, he appears to be doing well according to Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch and will only be out for about 5-to-10 days.