Tampa Bay Lightning prospect suspended for 5 games after breaking league's code of conduct
The OHL has suspended Ethan Hay for five games after the Saginaw Spirit captain and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect broke the league's rules for conduct
Hockey is a passionate game, but players have to walk a fine line when it comes to chirping and arguing. That goes double when officials are involved, as a prospect with the Tampa Bay Lightning just found out.
The OHL has announced that Ethan Hay, current captain of the Saginaw Spirit, has been suspended for five games for breaking the league's code of conduct. The incident that led to the suspension took place Sunday, Oct. 27 in a game against the Owen Sound Attack.
"Following a thorough investigation, the league has determined that Hay violated the OHL Code of Conduct as a result of a remark made in reference to an opposing player. It is the position of the League that, though there are reasonable grounds to suggest that Hay's remark was not uttered with malicious intent, it was delivered in a context that demonstrated a lack of awareness."
The Waterloo record caught up with Ethan Hay to get his take on what happened. The 19-year-old, who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the seventh round (211 overall) in 2023, took responsibility for his actions and called it a learning experience.
"It was a strange situation and not really one the league or anyone has seen before. It's something to learn from and I feel it's just a character builder for me most of all."
It's not clear exactly what Ethan Hay said to get himself the five games in the stands, but it was reportedly directed at Owen Sound forward Pierce Mbuyi. Hay was given a game misconduct immediately, and sat out the Saginaw Spirits last game while waiting for the OHL to make its decision.
It's not the only controversial thing said in the hockey world in the past few days. Fans blasted Jennifer Botterill following a heated exchange on a a recent Hockey Night in Canada panel. Players have to learn that things players said to each other on the ice in 1986 just isn't going to fly in 2024.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 5 | 21 ANSWERS Tampa Bay Lightning prospect suspended for 5 games after breaking league's code of conduct Are you surprised with the 5 games for Ethan Hay of the Saginaw Spirit, and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect? | ||
| Yes | 9 | 42.9 % |
| No | 6 | 28.6 % |
| I'm not sure | 6 | 28.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
