Kitchener Rangers forward Matthew Hlacar was issued a six-game suspension from the Ontario Hockey League for a late hit against Soo Greyhounds defenceman Jakub Winkelhofer. Hlacar delivered a late hit on Winkelhofer during an October 10 game and was issued a match penalty.
Through the long, hot days of summer, the absence of hockey is really beginning to set in for fans of the game. But for this year’s crop of draftees, it’s been a July of celebration, hard work, and reflection.
The 2024-2025 NHL season just ended, but the Toronto Maple Leafs and many other organizations are already going through their first steps for next season.
NHL head coaches have to hire good assistants. They have to set an overarching philosophy, juggle lineup configurations, and do the kind of “man management” that is impossible to track statistically.
Passion is a quality that cannot be taught and it appears that the next wave of Toronto Maple Leafs won’t be lacking any motivation in the first step of their professional journeys.