NEW YORK – Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrew Ference has been suspended for three games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of Vancouver Canucks forward Zack Kassian during NHL Game No. 163 in Vancouver on Saturday, November 1, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 14:03 of the second period. Ference was assessed a minor penalty for illegal check to the head.

Ference is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, will forfeit $118,902.45. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

For a full explanation of the decision, complete with video, please click on the following link: http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=60&id=661573&lang=en