( CNN ) -- The body-checking incident that left a National Hockey League player with a concussion and fractured vertebrae has not only some fans concerned but also at least one corporate sponsor -- Air Canada fired off an open letter to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman , threatening to yank its sponsorship of the league . The letter , sent last Wednesday by Denis Vanda , director of marketing communication for the airline , expressed Air Canada 's concern about recent violent checks . The letter said unless the league `` takes immediate action with serious suspension to players to curtail these life-threatening injuries , Air Canada will withdraw its sponsorship of hockey . '' Boston Bruins ' Zdeno Chara slammed Montreal Canadiens ' Max Pacioretty during last Tuesday 's game , causing Pacioretty to fall to the ice . Pacioretty was taken from the ice on a stretcher and currently he is in a hospital . He is out indefinitely , according to Canadiens ' coach Jacques Martin . Chara received game penalties , but no fine or suspension . The NHL said it stands by its ruling that no suspension is warranted . Veteran sportscaster Len Berman told CNN the controversy may not be over . `` The commissioner has already said it 's not going to affect anything , but I have to guarantee you that if sponsors stepped up and said , 'Hey we 're going to be pulling out ' that the NHL is going to listen . '' The NHL 's annual general managers meeting began Monday with attendees looking at the effects of the leagues ' Rule 48 , put into effect this season and banning purposeful checking of players ' heads and from their blindsides , according to NHL.com . During the meeting in Boca Raton , Florida , the NHL released data showing there has been a decrease in the incidences of concussions during the League 's 2010-11 season . NHL.com says the data shows one blindside hit that has caused concussion this season , compared to four from the previous season . For a lot of hockey fans , fights and hard hits are part of the lure of the game . Berman says fans enjoy watching the fights , `` Next time you see a hockey fight , look at all the fans right behind the fight . They all have big smiles on their faces . You never hear booing at a hockey fight . You only hear cheering. `` Chara says the hit on Pacioretty was n't intentional and he meant no harm . Yet , days later , Chara -- not known for dirty plays -- is still hearing booing from fans . `` It does n't bother me . It 's just a part of the game . The fans are ... they have the right to express their opinion ... .towards different players . '' Chara told CNN . But do the sponsors have that right ? One player sees it both ways . Andrew McDonald , a New york Islanders ' defenseman , said , `` I can see their concern . They 're obviously worried about player safety ... I think as players , we appreciate that . But again , as players , we know what we 're going into when we go into a hockey game . '' CNN 's Susan Candiotti , Ross Levitt and Laura Batchelor contributed to this report .
A body check during a National Hockey League game last week put one player in the hospital . Air Canada tells the NHL to `` curtail these life-threatening injuries '' and get on with it.'' Sportscaster Len Berman says pressure from sponsors could cause the NHL to act .