Kitchener Rangers forward Matthew Hlacar. Photo credit: Natalie Shaver/OHL Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e1b93d70-f715-4ccd-b1a6-f9934ebb9993.jpeg] Kitchener Rangers forward Matthew Hlacar. Photo credit: Natalie Shaver/OHL Images -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs] took a flyer on Kitchener Rangers’ enforcer forward Matthew Hlacar [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/fight-breaks-out-at-maple-leafs-development-camp-between-matthew-hlacar-and-rhett-parsons] when they selected him 217th overall in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft. A new philosophy has been adopted in the way Toronto drafts under Brad Treliving compared to former GM Kyle Dubas, and the selection of Hlacar further exemplifies that. Hlacar plays the game in the old-fashioned style. He is aggressive, aiming to inflict pain with his hits, and is not afraid to drop his gloves and engage in a fight. This often leads him to spend time in the penalty box multiple times during a game. At times, his actions exceed acceptable limits, prompting intervention from the OHL's player safety department. The Maple Leafs prospect finds himself in hot water already, just four games into the season. On October 10, Kitchener drove into Sault Ste. Marie to face off against the Greyhounds. Early in the second frame, Hlacar took a checking from behind penalty on Greyhounds’ defenseman Hunter Solomon. He was assessed a two-minute minor penalty on the play and answered the bell, shedding the gloves with Solomon’s defense partner, Spencer Evans. Later in that same period, Hlacar threw a blindside hit on Jakub Winkelhofer after he distributed the puck. The Toronto seventh-rounder was assessed a match penalty for blindsiding and kicked out of the game. Not only was the hit a clear blindside, but it also appeared to be late. Hlacar had plenty of time to let up on the hit. His actions have prompted the OHL’s department of player safety to suspend him indefinitely pending review [https://x.com/OHLHockey/status/1977016400335282238]. Through four games this season, Hlacar has already totaled 24 penalty minutes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. Latest OHL News: Heartwarming Support: Former OHL Teammates Celebrated Maple Leafs Prospect's Debut on the Big Stage [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/be357d98-db3d-4330-bde4-3654f7ea7f67.jpeg] Heartwarming Support: Former OHL Teammates Celebrated Maple Leafs Prospect's Debut on the Big Stage The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> may have lost their Thanksgiving Monday matinee game against the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings">Detroit Red Wings</a>, but one former OHL MVP, a two-time OHL champion, and a Memorial Cup champion experienced a special moment after spending the first two games of the season in the press box. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/heartwarming-support-former-ohl-teammates-celebrated-maple-leafs-prospect-s-debut-on-the-big-stage] Former London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & Fanbase [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a0706d71-aa95-4842-8dd8-dffb8e135f0e.jpeg] Former London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & Fanbase The majority of NHL teams have kicked off their pre-season this past weekend, including the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a>. Training camp and pre-season are opportunities for younger players in the system to impress coaches and management and make a name for themselves. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/former-london-knight-impressing-maple-leafs-organization-fanbase] 5 Rookies Who Could Dominate The OHL Rookie Of The Year Race [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3f64e48e-34b6-4d18-b592-ef8d9ce5a8c4.jpeg] 5 Rookies Who Could Dominate The OHL Rookie Of The Year Race Owen Sound Attack forward <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/owen-sound-attacks-rookie-sensation-has-truly-stepped-up-his-game-positioning-himself-as-a-strong-contender-for-rookie-of-the-year">Pierce Mbuyi</a> was awarded the Emms Family Award as <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/video/attacks-pierce-mbuyi-earns-emms-family-award-as-ohl-rookie-of-the-year/">OHL Rookie of the Year</a> last season after recording an incredible 29 goals and 52 points in 63 games. He set a new single-season points record by a 16-year-old Owen Sound rookie. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/5-rookies-who-could-dominate-the-ohl-rookie-of-the-year-race]
