Seattle Kraken’s Jacob Melanson suspended two games for illegal check to the head

UPDATE: Melanson has been suspended for two games, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety determined.

ORIGINAL: The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has determined that Seattle Kraken forward Jacob Melanson will receive a hearing today for his illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers James Hamblin during Monday night’s preseason matchup.

The incident occurred late in the second period after Hamblin avoided a collision with Kraken defenseman Michal Kempny, only to be taken out while defenseless on a headshot by Melanson. He received a match penalty. The Kraken would go on to shut out the Oilers 3-0. Melanson could become the Krakens’ first-ever fined or suspended player.

Melanson, 19, is a 2021 fifth-round pick who played for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) last season. He registered 35 goals and 56 points in 54 games, he added 85 penalty minutes as well. It would be Melanson’s second suspension this calendar year if the NHL Department of Player Safety decides to go that route. He served a four-game suspension in February 2022 after a deliberate knee-on-knee collision with a Blainville-Boisbriand Armada forward.

Hamblin, 23, who is a hometown product of the Oilers is coming into his third season of pro hockey after a tremendous major-junior campaign with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He played last season with the Oilers AHL farm team, the Bakersfield Condors, and registered 35 points in 64 games. Hamblin is attempting to crack the Oilers’ bottom six.