The OHL came down hard on Luke Dragusica after the Brampton Steelheads defenceman delivered a vicious slash to the head of an opponent during a game last week.
On Friday, the league announced it was suspending Dragusica, 18, for the remainder of the OHL regular season and playoffs for his attack that left Oshawa Generals defenceman Brady Blaseg bloodied on the ice.
With just minutes remaining in their game on Nov. 14, Dragusica was hit by Blaseg and another Generals player, sending him crashing into the boards. After Blaseg and Dragusica got back to their feet, Dragusica gave chase and delivered a two-handed slash to the head of Blaseg and then cross-checked him after he fell to the ice.
The slash sparked a brawl between the two teams as a trainer came out to tend to Blaseg.
Dragusica was given a match penalty for the incident and had been indefinitely suspended before Friday’s announcement.
‘Deliberate and unacceptable act’
The OHL explained its decision in a statement posted to its website, calling the incident a “dangerous and unacceptable act.”
“The deliberate use of a stick as a weapon to an opponent’s head, followed by further contact on a defenceless player, is a dangerous and unacceptable act that has no place in the OHL,” the league said.
“As part of this sanction, Dragusica will be required to complete a League-mandated education, counselling and community service program and appear before a Reinstatement Panel before being eligible to apply for reinstatement for the 2026-27 season.”
“This incident will be incorporated into ongoing education for OHL players, coaches and officials to reinforce the League’s commitment to player safety and respect in our game.”
Dragusica also will be required to complete a league-mandated education, counselling and community service program and appear before a panel before being eligible to apply for reinstatement for the 2026-27 season.
Altercation with fan
Last week, Barrie Colts star defenceman Kashawn Aitcheson received a two-game suspension for his altercation with a fan following Saturday’s shootout loss to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Aitcheson, the 17th-overall pick by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL draft, was seen dumping his water bottle on a fan as he came off the ice following the heated contest.
During the game, the Colts blew a 3-1 lead to the host Greyhounds before losing on Marco Mignosa’s winner in the shootout. The forward and his teammates then proceeded to taunt the visitors, with the two sides nearly coming to blows while officials did their best to keep them separated.
As Aitcheson and his teammates left the ice, a fan wearing a red jersey and backwards hat was seen shouting at the Colts players, leading to the defenceman dousing the man with his open water bottle.
It was unclear what the man was saying to the players and if anything was directly aimed at Aitcheson.