Jason Demers tweets #FreeTorres, inadvertently creates meme
Raffi Torres renewed his status as one of the most controversial figures in the NHL Monday when he was suspended for a historic 41 games following a head shot against Jakob Silfverberg of the Anaheim Ducks. The suspension is the fifth of Torres's career for illegal hits, and everyone from fans to the league's Department of Player Safety to former teammates have said Torres's physical style of play has no place in the NHL.
Apparently Dallas Stars defenseman Jason Demers (who was once teammates with Torres on the Sharks) has no problem with Torres's repeated infractions, however, as he defended Torres on Twitter Monday night.
Demers has some campaigning to do to get people to join his side. Twitter users took up the #FreeTorres mission following Demers's tweet, but those users added their own twist to the hashtag.
If nothing else, at least Demers is loyal. That has to count for something.
— jason demers (@jasondemers5) October 5, 2015
#FreeTorres. No, literally. We are leaving him in a wheelbarrow on the side of the road. Take him if you want him. He's your problem now.
— y- Egg Whites (@50_MissionCap) October 5, 2015
Can't believe that Raffi isn't banned for life. #FreeTorres from playing in the NHL
— Arzt Anthony (@ISHA_AAM) October 5, 2015
#FreeTorres from the confines of Earth by firing him into the sun @BattleofCali
— Ian Verhey (@ianverhey) October 6, 2015