IIHF considering lengthy suspension for Andrei Deniskin

Back in late-September during a game in the Ukrainan Hockey League (UHL), Kremenchuk forward Andrei Deniskin made a racial gesture towards Donbass forward and former Arizona Coyotes draft pick, Jalen Smereck.

Deniskin was suspended by the UHL and the Ukrainian Hockey Federation for 13 games, but that wasn't enough. A tougher punishment should have been handed out, but the league failed Smereck, who went on to leave the UHL and signed in Germany's top division, the DEL, in October.

Internationally, Deniskin has represented Ukraine on several occasions, and according to TSN's Darren Dreger, the IIHF is likely going to give Deniskin a lengthy suspension.

"We're closing in on two months since that game in Ukraine when Andrei Deniskin made that disgusting racial gesture. We didn't like that suspension from the league, but the IIHF is still pondering something longer?" TSN's James Duthie asked during Thursday's edition of Insider Trading.

Dreger responded with, "They are. They're firstly reviewing a discipline case that will see Deniskin parked on the side for international events, for an undetermined length of time, that could be imposed by the IIHF. But the IIHF is also working under a recommendation that strongly encourages all federations, under the guidance of the IIHF, to provide a much higher maximum punishment. So, more than the 13 games the Ukraine federation delivered to Andrei Deniskin."

It's unclear how long Deniskin's potential International suspension could be, but as Darren Dreger mentions, it will more than likely be for longer than thirteen games.

Source: Insider Trading

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