Gophers Hockey: Nick Seeler suspended one game for hit to the head

Minnesota defenseman Nick Seeler will miss Friday's (December 4) Big Ten conference opener against Ohio State after being suspended by the conference.

The Eden Prairie, MN native, a 2011 5th round draft pick of the Minnesota Wild who has an assist in 10 games this season for the Gophers, was given a one-game suspension Monday for his hit to the head during Sunday's 7-4 loss to St. Cloud State. He initially drew a five minute major for contact to the head and a game misconduct for it.

The play, which happened 5:28 into the second period of the game, left Huskies junior defenseman Niklas Nevalainen on the ice for a couple minutes.

Nevalainen did not return and St. Cloud State scored twice on the ensuing five minute major.

St. Cloud State head coach Bob Motzko did not have an update on Nevalainen's health after the game.

Seeler's suspension likely means Jack Sadek will get an opportunity against the Buckeyes. Sadek, a true freshman, played four games this season while Steve Johnson was injured. However, he has yet to crack the lineup otherwise as the coaching staff slowly bring along the 2015 7th round pick of the Minnesota Wild.

Seeler will be eligible to return for Saturday's (December 5) game against the Buckeyes. He's the second Gopher to be suspended by the Big Ten following Vinni Lettieri last season.

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Nathan Wells is a college hockey columnist for SB Nation mostly covering both the University of Minnesota and Big Ten. You can also follow him on Twitter -- Follow @gopherstate