The Swiss ice hockey league have suspended Davos forward Kevin Miller for eight matches following his clash with Zurich Lions player Andrew McKim.
McKim suffered concussion and head injuries after being elbowed in the face by the 35-year-old American during last month's match between the two sides.
The league's disciplinary judge, Heinz Tännler, also fined Miller SFr 3,000 (USD 1,700). The sanctions were the harshest ever imposed by Tännler during his five years in office.
In 1997 the judge imposed a six-match ban on Biel's Sven Dick, but that was in response to a series of penalties.
Tännler said his severity had been based on the deliberate nature of Miller's action. Rather than make a legal block, the judge said that the Davos player had chosen to strike McKim in the face, risking serious physical injuries.
Miller has five days to appeal against the decision.
swissinfo with agencies