Vegas says signed photos of Reaves hit ‘destroyed’

WASHINGTON— The late blindside hit from Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves sent Capitals forward Tom Wilson crashing down. Wilson’s helmet popped off, and his head bounced on the T-Mobile Arena ice. Reaves was ejected from Tuesday’s game, a 5-3 Vegas win, and Wilson, who sustained a concussion, missed Thursday’s game. Washington coach Todd Reirden said Wilson is “day-to-day” while he recovers.

And Reaves? He signed16x20inch copies of a photograph that shows Wilson dazed on the ice as Reaves is escorted away, posts on social media indicated. On each picture, Reaves wrote the message he gave reporters after Tuesday’s game: “He ran into a lion in the jungle.”

Inscriptagraphs, a Las Vegasbased memorabilia dealer, called the photos the “must have Christmas Gift of the Year” in a since-deleted tweet and Instagram post. Though apparently no one will be getting them. Vegas Golden Knights spokesperson Eric Tosi said in an email that the photos “were not distributed and they have been destroyed.”

Inscriptagraphs removed the signed photographs from its website and eBay on Thursday evening. Representatives from the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reaves’ agent also could not be reached.

Wilson and Reaves, both physical players, have history. They have fought twice in their careers, both times when Reaves played for St. Louis.

Wilson has been on a tear during his suspension-shortened season, with eight goals and six assists in 11 games. He has a surly reputation in the league because of altercations like the ones with Wilson and one in which he illegally checked the head of St. Louis’ Oskar Sundqvist in September. The NHL’s department of player safety suspended him 20 games for that, though his suspension was reduced after an appeal.