'I Was Just Honest About How The Play Went Down': Maple Leafs Defenseman Morgan Rielly Speaks Publicly Following Five-Game Suspension And Appeal

TEMPE, Ariz. — Morgan Rielly is anxious to return to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup on Thursday when his team visits the Vegas Golden Knights.

The defenseman spoke to the media for the first time since he was suspended for five games following his cross-check to the head of Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig.

"Lots to be learned, grateful it’s almost over," Rielly said following his team's skate as they were preparing to take on the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena on Wednesday. "It’s been an opportunity to grow and learn a little bit and we’re almost over with it."

Rielly was appreciative of the support he's received from his teammates and the rest of the organization as the player attempted to appeal his five-game sentence last week. Along with his agent, J.P. Barry and representatives from the NHLPA, Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan and GM Brad Treliving joined Rielly on his trip to New York to appeal the original suspension in front of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

The Leafs defenseman confirmed his retaliatory cross-check of Greig, who took a slapshot into an empty net, was just a reaction to that and not done for any other reason.