Impact of McSorley verdict unclear; former Bruin gets probation for stick attack.

Byline: Neil Milbert

CHICAGO _ In the context of the violent incident under review, Marty McSorley's punishment could be considered a slap on the wrist. In the context of the NHL and sports, how the punishment will be considered is still unclear.

On Friday, Judge W.J. Kitchen of the Provincial Court of British Columbia in Vancouver found McSorley guilty of assault with a weapon for striking Donald Brashear of the Vancouver Canucks in a game Feb. 21.

McSorley, a 17-year NHL veteran who was with the Boston Bruins at the time, will serve no time in jail. He received 18 months' probation and was ordered not to play against Brashear during that time, in Canada or the United States.

If McSorley fulfills the probation requirement, the conviction will not appear on his record.

In his decision, Kitchen said: "McSorley ... had the impulse to strike him in the head. His mind-set, always tuned to aggression, permitted that. He slashed for the head. A child, swinging at a T-ball, would not miss. A housekeeper, swinging a carpetbeater, would not miss. An NHL player would never, ever miss. Brashear was struck as intended."

Brashear was knocked unconscious. He had a seizure before recovering consciousness, suffered a Grade 3 concussion and was unable to engage in physical activity for the next month.