Mailloux suspension shows OHL's David Branch gets it...too bad Habs don't
The London Knights defenseman won't be eligible to play major junior hockey until at least early 2022 and only after he proves he has been rehabilitated
Ontario Hockey League commissioner David Branch has never, ever, been shy about severely disciplining miscreants in his league for their actions on and off the ice. More than three decades ago, Marc Laforge of the Sudbury Wolves went on a horrific rampage in a bench-clearing brawl and was suspended for the rest of his junior career. Jeff Kugel of the Windsor Spitfires was handed the same sentence more than two decades ago for sucker punching an opponent, but was ultimately reinstated. In 2009, Michael Liambas was suspended the balance of the season for a blindside hit on a rookie defenseman. Branch continues to be vigilant against head shots, and in 2005 he suspended Windsor GM Moe Mantha for a year over a hazing incident, and in 2012 fined the Spitfires $250,000 and took away four draft picks over recruiting violations.
(We’re still waiting for the OHL’s investigation into the hazing allegations from former Kitchener Ranger Eric Guest which, if true, would warrant another long sentence from Branch.)
So it should come as no surprise that Branch and the OHL came down hard on London Knights defenseman Logan Mailloux, suspending the Montreal Canadiens first-round pick in 2021 indefinitely over an incident that occurred last season when Mailloux was playing in Sweden, saying his actions, “violated the league’s expectation of appropriate conduct for an OHL player.” In levying the suspension, Branch said Mailloux would be eligible to apply for reinstatement Jan. 1, “based in part on his conduct since his return to Canada and the appropriate treatment, counselling, mentoring and/or education he receives from the date of this decision.”
Hockey Unfiltered with Ken Campbell is a reader-supported platform. Both free and paid subscriptions are available. Those who want to support my work are encouraged to take out a paid subscription.
So, conceivably, if Mailloux reapplies for reinstatement on Jan. 1 and receives clearance to play, he could be in the Knights’ lineup for their game that night, meaning he will have sat out 29 of the Knights’ 68 games this season. He is eligible to practice with the Knights throughout his suspension. Unlike the wishy-washy Canadiens, that’s decisive action right there.
It should also come as no surprise that Branch has a far greater appreciation for gravity of Mailloux’s actions than the Canadiens do. This writer has crossed swords with Branch many times over the years, and I have a very well-documented problem with how poorly junior hockey players are compensated, but there has never, ever been a question about David Branch’s integrity and desire to do what is right. The same, of course, cannot be said for Canadiens owner Geoff Molson and GM Marc Bergevin, who made a terrible decision to take Mailloux in the first round of the draft. Even worse, it’s a mistake – one to which they’ve fully admitted culpability, by the way – they have as yet refused to correct by renouncing the pick.
I also can’t help but think we haven’t heard the last of this debacle. Several calls and texts to Branch looking for comment on the suspension were not returned. An email to the OHL asking for comments from Branch was returned with the following message: “The League has no comment on the Mailloux suspension at this time.” That’s really bizarre. And a call and text to Mailloux’s agent, Dylan Liptrap, also went unreturned. Not sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody is thinking of lawyering up here.
So here we have the leader of a junior hockey league that has suspended Mailloux a minimum of 29 games for taking a photo of a woman in a consensual sex act, then distributing it without her consent. Branch gets kudos for insisting that Mailloux proves he has received sufficient counselling and education before he is granted the privilege of playing in the OHL again. The Canadiens, meanwhile, after ignoring Mailloux’s pleas to not be drafted by any NHL team to give him time to rehabilitate himself and deserve the privilege of being chosen, “asked him not to participate in our rookie or main training camp this fall.” But in their defense, they do have a “lady psychologist” meeting with Mailloux a couple of times a week.
By the time Mailloux completes his OHL suspension, perhaps he’ll have been counselled and mentored and educated enough to deserve the privilege of playing hockey again. We can only hope that will be the case. But before he returns, I would suspect Branch will contact the victim to get her input on the decision. The Canadiens didn’t do that before they drafted him. They could not have handled this any worse than they have, but still have time to do the right thing. And then maybe, just maybe, they’ll look as responsible and compassionate as a league that generates a fraction of the revenues and employs teenage hockey players.
And add the KK situation, could have been avoided!