the Bruins, Coutu body-slammed Eddie Shore. Coutu's forehead hit Shore's skull, severing Shore's ear. Shore visited several doctors who wanted to amputate the ear, but finally found one who sewed it back on. After refusing anaesthetic, Shore used a mirror to watch the doctor sew the ear back on. Shore claimed Coutu used his hockey stick to cut off the ear, and Coutu was fined $50; Shore later recanted and Coutu's money was refunded. At the end of Game 4 of the 1927 Stanley Cup Finals, Coutu started a bench-clearing brawl, apparently at the request of coach Art Ross, by assaulting referee Jerry Laflamme and tackling referee Billy Bell in the corridor. As a result, he was expelled from the NHL for life; the longest suspension to date. On October 8, 1929, the suspension was lifted allowing Coutu to play in minor professional leagues, where he played into his late 30s with Minneapolis and also coached for several years. He never played in the NHL again, although the lifetime ban was lifted in 1929–30 and Coutu was reinstated in 1932–33 at the insistence of Canadiens owner Leo Dandurand. Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Transactions November 24, 1916 – Signed as a free agent by Montreal Canadiens (NHA). November 26, 1917 – Rights retained by Montreal Canadiens after NHA folded. November 27, 1920 – Loaned to Hamilton Tigers by Montreal Canadiens as part of trade of Jack McDonald, Harry Mummery and Dave Ritchie to Hamilton for Jack Coughlin, Samuel (Goldie) Prodgers and Joe Matte. January 26, 1921 – Returned to Montreal Canadiens from loan to Hamilton Tigers. November 15, 1921 – Fined $200 and suspended by Montreal Canadiens for rough play. March 8, 1923 – Missed seven games due to a broken wrist suffered in a game vs. Toronto St. Patricks. January 21, 1925 – Suspended two games and fined $100 by NHL for misconduct. January 19, 1926 – Suspended one game and fined $100 by NHL for tripping referee Jerry Laflamme vs Ottawa Senators. October 22, 1926 – Traded to Boston Bruins by Montreal Canadiens for Amby Moran. April 13, 1927 – Suspended for life from the NHL for assaulting referee Jerry Laflamme, tackling referee Billy Bell, and starting a bench-clearing brawl after a Stanley Cup game. January 5, 1928 – Traded to New Haven (C-AHL) by Boston with Pat (Nobby) Clark for cash. January 28, 1928 – Suspended