[panoo]

Canadian Press
12/15/2006 4:35:11 PM

OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Senators have suspended defenceman Michal Barinka after he left their AHL affiliate in Binghamton.

Barinka has returned to his native Czech Republic for family reasons. His fiancee's mother has fallen ill.

The Senators suspended Barinka in order to retain his rights, and the club will lift the suspension if he joins a team in the Czech Republic.

The 22-year-old was acquired in the three-way, Martin Havlat trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 10. Chicago's second-round pick in the 2003 draft, Barinka has played in 34 career NHL games with the Blackhawks, recording two assists and 26 penalty minutes. In 17 games with Binghamton this season, Barinka had two assists and 22 penalty minutes.

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[Havlat]

There is a lot behind this. I mean wouldn't he just stay until the funeral and then return? Maybe he said he's staying for a while so they told him your only allowed to play in a Czech team so he can stay in shape. They wouldn't want him playing in a Russian team cause he'd be making more money then he is making from the Sens.