Brenden Dillon Slapped With Suspension For Brutal Head Shot

NHL Player Safety has handed down its punishment to Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon for an illegal—and some would say 'brutal'—check to the head of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Noel Acciari Tuesday night. It's a three-game suspension for the Jets' veteran D-man.

Winnipeg’s Brenden Dillon has been suspended for three games for an illegal check to the head on Pittsburgh’s Noel Acciari. https://t.co/fpfGFVIM8B

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) February 7, 2024

The dirty hit came in the 2nd period, when Dillon clipped Acciari in the head with his shoulder.

Brenden Dillon with a BRUTAL hit to the head of Noel Acciari 😬

Dillon has been ejected from the game. pic.twitter.com/t04GVtOmw1

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) February 7, 2024

Acciari needed four teammates to help assist him in getting off the ice. It should be noted that he has a history of concussions, and he'll undoubtedly be going into concussion protocol after this nasty head shot.  

Per NHL Player Safety, "Dillon's shoulder makes direct and forceful contact with Acciari's head," that was said to be "avoidable" due to the angle of approach that Dillon chose in delivering his hit. 

Due to a previous suspension on Dillon's record and the resulting injury to Acciari, a three-game suspension was deemed the proper discipline.