FLYERS FORWARD SUSPENDED

Philadelphia Flyers forward Dale Weise was suspended for three games without pay by the NHL on Friday for an illegal check to Anaheim defenceman Korbinian Holzer’s head.

The hit came in the second period of the Flyers’ 3-2 home loss Thursday night. Weise wasn’t called for a penalty. The suspension will cost Weise $39,167.

Meanwhile, former NHL great Wayne Gretzky will make a rare return to the ice Saturday to play alongside other former Edmonton Oilers greats against Winnipeg Jets alumni as part of the Heritage Classic weekend in Winnipeg.

“I mean, I skate once a year. I just really never find the energy, the enthusiasm to grab my equipment and say ’Oh, I’m going to play pickup hockey,”’ Gretzky told reporters Friday.