A Victoria Royals forward won鈥檛 hit the lineup until at least December after a Western Hockey League sanction announced Wednesday (Sept. 27).

Alex Edwards is suspended for 25 games for a match penalty on Everett Silvertips defenceman Dexter Whittle during a Sept. 23 regular season game.

Midway through the second period of that game, Edwards was assessed a match penalty for intent to injure on an illegal hit from behind. Whittle was later released from hospital, but remains out of the game indefinitely, according to a Sept. 26 Silvertips release.

鈥淚n addition to the severity of Edwards鈥� actions, other key factors considered in the decision include the severe injury to the opponent on the play and the fact Edwards is a repeat offender, having been suspended twice previously last season,鈥� the WHL wrote.

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Edwards is eligible to return to the Royals lineup on Friday, Dec. 1.

The Victoria hockey club released a statement Wednesday afternoon addressing the suspension.

鈥淭he Victoria Royals understand and respect this decision. The entire royals organization continues to have Dexter Whittle in our thoughts and we wish him a full recovery,鈥� the statement reads.

The Royals signed the Grand Forks native 鈥� then a 6鈥�1鈥�, 190-pound, 16-year-old with the Kelowna Chiefs 鈥� in December 2021.

A statement on the suspension of Alex Edwards.

鈥� Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals)