NEW YORK – San Jose Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart has been suspended for three games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of New York Rangers forward Rick Nash during NHL Game No. 44 in San Jose on Tuesday, October 8, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on his average annual salary, Stuart will forfeit $55,384.62. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 2:32 of the first period. Stuart was assessed a minor penalty for elbowing.

For a full explanation of the Department of Player Safety's decision, complete with video, please click on the following link: http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=60&id=455148&lang=en