Ex-Leafs Defender In Trouble with Player Safety After Applying Choke Hold During Altercation

A bizarre incident in the AHL involving a former member of the Toronto Maple Leafs has resulted in a suspension, which was certainly warranted, given the circumstances.

William Lagesson, who spent the 2023-24 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks organizations, got plenty of notice on social media over the past couple of days after putting a literal choke hold on Adam Raska of the Iowa Wild.

Lagesson, currently playing for the Grand Rapid Griffins of the AHL while under contract with the Detroit Red Wings, caught hold of Raska during a scrum and choked him from behind until Raska, clearly panicked and unable to breathe, finally tapped out.

Amazingly, Lagesson received just a two-minute minor for roughing on the play, which is ridiculous. A suspension handed out after the controversy by the AHL, seems just as laughable.

Lagesson was given a three game suspension for his action. Three games for using an MMA move on a person during a professional hockey game, going so far as making him tap out for fear of being choked unconscious.

Roughing. That was the only explanation given in the statement itself. No other details or conclusions were offered.

I like an MMA fight as much as the next person, but submission maneuvers have no place in hockey, unless it involves the Hanson Brothers somehow. Adam Raska has every right to be upset over this, though he has not broken his silence and said anything about it either way.