OHL suspends Maple Leafs prospect Matthew Hlacar for 6 games

The OHL Department of Player Safety delivered the following rationale:

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 has served two games of the sanction and can return to action on October 26.

“He’s a really hard-nosed, competitive, big man,” Maple Leafs scouting director Mark Leach said of Hlacar after the draft. “Skates well, get in there. Really, a unique element. Likes to play in your face.”

Hlacar recorded seven goals and eight points in 43 games with Kitchener last season. He has recorded one assist in four games to start the 2025-26 campaign.

“It’s crazy to think when you go back, because obviously growing up you watch all the games and all the players, and then you see some of them at the development camp, even the guys you watched as a kid. It’s pretty cool,” Hlacar said about being drafted by the Maple Leafs, in July.

Hlacar is known for his tenacious approach to the game, a key reason why the Maple Leafs took a flier on him late in the 2025 NHL Draft. The power forward also entered a fight at Maple Leafs development camp, squaring off against Rhett Parsons.