Former Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Matthew Hlacar faces another multiple game suspension after high sticking penalty
Brantford Bulldogs forward Matthew Hlacar has been suspended for eight games by the Ontario Hockey League after committing a "dangerous action" against an opponent.
The suspension is in regard to a play on Sept. 25th in the Bulldogs game against the Peterborough Petes after a stick to the face of Petes forward Braydon McCallum.
Hlacar was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for high-sticking, reduced from an initial five-minute major.
The Ontario Hockey League assessed the suspension as length as a result of three factors, as their official statement outlines.
– 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
Hlacar was suspended for six games back in October of last season after a late hit on Soo Greyhounds defenseman Jakub Winkelhofer. This is Hlacar's fourth multi-game suspension in his OHL career.
The 20-year-old Hlacar is in his first season with the Bulldogs, having been released by the Kitchener Rangers this offseason, signing with Brantford after an unsuccessful tryout opportunity in the QMJHL with Saint John.
Hlacar was a seventh round NHL Draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the club reliquinshing his signing rights this past offseason.
Hlacar will miss Brantford's next six games, having served two games of his eight-game suspension, eligible to return to the Bulldogs lineup on Oct. 18 at home to the Soo Greyhounds.
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