OHL fines IceDogs, docks draft picks

The Niagara IceDogs say they will appeal after being slapped with $250,000 in fines and having two first round draft picks taken away by the Ontario Hockey League.

The OHL announced the sanctions Friday afternoon in a statement that said a third-party investigation found the Niagara hockey club violated certain league player recruitment policies.

The investigation by the law firm of Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP was requested by the league. As a result of their findings, the OHL levied $250,000 in fines and took away the club’s first round draft selections in the 2019 and 2021 OHL priority selection process.

The Niagara IceDogs said Friday in a statement that they will appeal the decision to the league’s board of governors.

“All current Niagara IceDogs players and hockey operations staff have no involvement in the sanctions assessed today by the Ontario Hockey League. An appeal will be filed,” the organization said in a statement.

The OHL provided no information about what policies were allegedly violated or when the investigation took place.

“The League takes our commitment to our players and their player experience very seriously, which includes ensuring a fair and competitive on-ice experience among all teams,” OHL commissioner David Branch said in a statement Friday.

“In order to maintain the integrity of this player experience and competitiveness within the league, it is critical that all clubs operate within the league recruitment guidelines. When a club ignores these guidelines, significant sanctions are required.”