Former Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Matthew Hlacar is not a popular man in the OHL right now, as he has been suspended for eight games for a high-sticking incident.
Matthew Hlacar was a former seventh-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs. In fact, the Leafs let him go this offseason as they decided to relinquish his signing rights.
This came in the midst of professional strife for Hlacar, who was let go from the Kitchener Rangers before failing a tryout with the Saint John Sea Dogs.
Now, he plays for the Brantford Bulldogs, and a disgusting high-stick against the Peterborough Petes has landed him an eight-game suspension.
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The OHL released a statement on why they made this move, and as you can clearly tell, the forward's reputation and past led up to this decision.
- This was inappropriate use of the stick and a dangerous action toward an opponent
- The Brantford player attempts to deliver contact with his stick in a poor position, it is high off of the ice and he allows his body momentum to bring the stick high to the area of his opponent's head
- Contact is made with his stick to the neck area of an opponent, this action could have led to a serious injury
- Relevant and recent disciplinary history of this particular player was a major factor in this overall assessment and result
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Hlacar faced a bevy of suspensions last season for similar behaviors. Based on this eight-game suspension, it is clear that the OHL has had enough of these antics.
It is expected that he will be back on the ice on October 18. However, if he continues to rack up these kinds of infractions, his suspension may reach double digits next time.
If you are John Chayka and the Toronto Maple Leafs, you are probably very happy that you decided to cut ties when you did.
Do you believe Matthew Hlacar deserved this suspension?
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