Photo credit: STEVEN ELLIS/DAILY FACEOFF
A Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has been hit with a massive suspension after a highly controversial play.
In a major decision, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Matthew Hlacar has been handed a six-game suspension by the Ontario Hockey League over a play days earlier.Hlacar was drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, 217th overall.
Having gone undrafted in his first draft year and not having played in the OHL, Hlacar was selected as an overager after appearing in 43 games with the Rangers, having a goal and eight points.
Although lacking in offense, Hlacar was known as an intense physical player who can make hits and has size, although beyond that contained question marks. His most recent suspension questions how mature his game currently is.
Incident Details and League Decision on Hlacar’s Suspension
Hlacar, a member of the Kitchener Rangers, was given a six-game suspension for his actions faced in a game back on Friday, Oct. 10th, in which Hlacar collided with Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenseman Jakub Winkelhofer.
In the play, Hlacar collided with Winkelhofer, who had cleared the puck, having a delayed hit on the Soo defender, being ejected from the game and being faced with a suspension in the process.
The OHL explained the decision for the suspension and it’s length in the following, citing Hlacar having a history of similar incidents that have been controversial.
The OHL Department of Player Safety has allotted three games within the six-game suspension being attributed to the hit itself, citing that it falls into the category of «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.»
An additional three games of the suspension have been attributed to the player’s recent history of dangerous hits.
Hlacar was suspended three times last season with the Rangers, including once in the playoffs, and one suspension of five games for a check to the head.
The move is another controversial play by Hlacar who has dealt with suspendable plays throughout his career, and having a shorter leash having been benched earlier in the season, needing to prove himself for Toronto.
Having missed the last two games as the suspension was announced before the amount of games was decided, Hlacar will miss the next four matches for Kitchener, returning October 26th against North Bay.
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Leafs Prospect Hit With Six-Game Suspension After Controversial Play
Was six games a fair suspension for Hlacar over this incident?