The OHL suspended London Knights alternate captain Landon Sim for five games for using language that violates the league’s code of conduct.
Sim received a game misconduct after the first period on a Nov. 6 matchup between the Knights and Soo Greyhounds. The league suspended Sim indefinitely while gathering information.
“Following an investigation, the league has determined that Sim violated the OHL code of conduct due to a remark intended to provoke an opposing player that was marginalizing on both religious and cultural grounds,” the league said in Monday’s announcement.
#OHL Disciplinary Action:
London’s Landon Sim has been suspended for five games due to a contravention of the League’s Code of Conduct during the game on Nov. 6th at Sault Ste. Marie.https://t.co/4a8nF6LSY1
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) November 11, 2024
Five games is the minimum suspension for this type of violation. Sim has served two games already, which means he’ll be eligible to return on Nov. 22.
The OHL noted that “all players have the right to participate in the Ontario Hockey League in a safe and healthy environment, which promotes equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices.
“All forms of harassment and abuse, including, but not limited to, taunts and slurs and comments based on race, age, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability, will not be tolerated and are completely unacceptable under any circumstances.”
London Knights Landon Sim in trouble with the league again? The OHL has suspended him indefinitely #OHL
Read more on @TheHockeyNews ⤵️https://t.co/QZWjiPo3ky
— Jared Brown (@JaredBrownn97) November 10, 2024
This is the second time in 2024 that the OHL suspended Sim for using language that violated league policy. He previously sat out five games during the OHL playoffs in May, including the start of the league championship final. Ken Campbell reported in May that Sim could not appeal the suspension since it was fewer than 10 games.
Related: Opinion: What’s In a Word? OHL’s Landon Sim Suspension Raises Questions
Sim’s suspension is also the second time in November the OHL suspended a player for five games for inappropriate language. Saginaw Spirit captain and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Ethan Hay was ejected late in the third period on Oct. 27 and is eligible to return on Nov. 13. In that instance, the league said there are reasonable grounds to suggest Hay did not have malicious intent behind his remark, but it was used in a way that showed a lack of awareness.
The OHL said players and staff are educated on the league’s diversity policy before every season, which makes it clear that “discriminatory comments of this nature” are prohibited. It also said the league’s director of culture and community, Rico Phillips, is following up with Sim to try to prevent any future violations of this nature, as he did with Hay.
Sim, a sixth-round pick by the St. Louis Blues in 2022, has five goals and eight points in 10 games this season.
The story has not been edited by 24x7sportshub and is published from a syndicated feed.
