Canadiens suspend Sergei Kostitsyn

The Montreal Canadiens suspended Belarus forward Sergei Kostitsyn on Wednesday after he left the team's American Hockey League affiliate in Hamilton, the second time he has been suspended this season. The 22-year-old Kostitsyn, whose older brother Andrei plays for the Canadiens, demanded to be traded after being sent down to the minors during training camp. Kostitsyn held out for nearly a week and was suspended before agreeing to report. Kostitsyn had two goals and four points in five games for Hamilton this season before leaving the team on Tuesday. Last season, he had eight goals and 15 assists in 56 games for Montreal and had 13 points in 16 games for Hamilton. The Canadiens didn't immediately comment. Don Meehan, Kostitsyn's agent, said he didn't advise his client to quit. "It was his decision, not mine," Meehan told The Canadian Press. Meehan said Kostitsyn would meet with Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey.