Jannik Hansen hit: Canucks forward faces NHL disciplinary hearing

Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen will face a disciplinary hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety on Wednesday for his hit on Marian Hossa in Tuesday night's game.

The hearing, which will be heard at 3:30 p.m. ET, comes after Hansen was penalized for a forearm shiver to the back of Marian Hossa's head early in the third period of Tuesday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Hossa laid motionless on the ice for several moments before eventually leaving the ice, and did not return to the game.

Speaking to the Chicago Tribune, Hansen felt the hit should be considered a hockey play:

"We were both kind of jumping for (the puck)," Hansen said. "He grabs the puck first and as I'm coming down I kind of land on him a little bit. Apparently, I hit him in the back of the head is what the ref was telling me once I come down. It's hard for me to tell what really happened."

Canucks coach Alain Vigneault feels the play not only is not deserving of suspension, but should not have been a penalty.

"It wasn't even a penalty," said Vigneault. "Both referees looked at the play, and until [Jonathan] Toews went out to talk to them it wasn't even a penalty. ... He's trying to grab a puck in the air. It's unfortunate if a young man is hurt. He's trying to jump to get the puck. Stuff happens."

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville stated after the game that Hossa will be reevaluated on Wednesday, although he seemed "OK" after the game. There is a legitimate concern for Hossa, however, considering the star player's recent concussion history.

Raffi Torres of the Phoenix Coyotes received a 21-game suspension last season for a late hit that forced Hossa to leave the ice on a stretcher.