Maple Leafs Prospect Handed Lengthy Suspension By Ontario Hockey League Following Controversial Hit
Photo credit: Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
A 2025 draft pick of the Maple Leafs, Matthew Hlacar, was handed a lengthy suspension by the Ontario Hockey League following a controversial hit.
On October 10th, in a game against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Matthew Hlachar, the Leafs' 2025 seventh-round pick, caught the eye of officials for his physical play. Early in the game, he was given a 2-minute minor for checking from behind.
In the second period, Hlacar was penalized yet again, but this time was given a 5-minute major penalty and game-misconduct for a late hit on Greyhounds defenseman Jakub Winkelhofer a few seconds after he had already gotten rid of the puck.
OHL Dishes Out Lengthy Suspension to Leafs Prospect Matthew Hlacar
While Hlacar waited on a decision from the OHL's Department of Player Safety, he sat out two of the Kitchener Rangers' following games. On Wednesday night, the OHL announced that Hlacar was suspended for six total games, meaning he has four games remaining to serve on his suspension.
OHL Takes Previous Incidents Into Account For Suspension
The Leafs' prospect only received three games for his hit on Winkelhofer according to the OHL.
"A hit that was late and should not be delivered from the backside to a player that would not be aware of the oncoming contact," noted the OHL in their reasoning statement.
The OHL also stated that Hlacar received an addition three games due to his 'recent history of dangerous hits'.
The 19-year-old has already amassed 24 penalty minutes in only four games this season and will be eligible to return to the Kitchener Rangers' lineup on October 26th.
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