Ex-Leafs defender has player safety issues after using chokehold during altercation

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Dangerous chokehold during a physical altercation lands former Maple Leafs defenseman William Lagesson in major player safety trouble.

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

William Lagesson, who spent the 2023-24 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks organizations, gained a lot of attention on social media in recent days after putting a literal chokehold on the Iowa Wild’s Adam Raska.

Lagesson, who currently plays for the Grand Rapid Griffins of the AHL while under contract with the Detroit Red Wings, grabbed Raska during a scrum and choked him from behind until Raska, visibly panicked and unable to breathe, eventually left.

Amazingly, Lagesson was only given two minutes of minor music because he edited the piece roughly, which is ridiculous. A suspension imposed by the AHL following the controversy seems equally ridiculous.

Lagesson was given a three-game ban for his actions. Three games for using an MMA move against a person during a professional hockey game, going so far as to force them to throw a punch for fear of choking unconscious.

“Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman William Lagesson has been suspended for three (3) games for a roughhousing incident in a game against Iowa on November 24.”

Roughing. That was the only explanation given in the statement itself. No further 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 they somehow involve the Hanson Brothers. Adam Raska has every right to be upset about this, even if he hasn’t broken his silence and said nothing about it.

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