A junior hockey player from British Columbia has been suspended for 31 games after being found guilty of choking an opposing goalie during a brawl.
The incident occurred during a game between the Langley Trappers and the Delta Ice Hawks on January 30th. The two teams have a long-standing rivalry and tensions were high throughout the game. In the third period, a fight broke out between players from both teams, and during the chaos, Langley player, Connor Horning, was seen grabbing Delta goalie, Jordy Engleson, by the throat and choking him.
The altercation was captured on video and quickly went viral, sparking outrage among fans and officials. The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) launched an investigation into the incident and determined that Horning’s actions were a clear violation of the league’s code of conduct.
As a result, Horning has been suspended for 31 games, which is the longest suspension in the BCHL’s history. He will not be eligible to return to the ice until the playoffs, should his team make it that far. In addition, he has been fined an undisclosed amount and will be required to undergo anger management counseling.
The BCHL’s commissioner, Chris Hebb, stated that this type of behavior will not be tolerated in the league. “We take player safety very seriously and any actions that put other players at risk will be met with severe consequences,” he said in a statement.
Engleson, the victim of the attack, has also spoken out about the incident. In an interview with CTV News, he expressed his disappointment in Horning’s actions and the impact it has had on his team. “It’s not something you ever want to see happen on the ice,” he said. “It’s a dangerous move and it could have had serious consequences.”
The Delta Ice Hawks organization has also released a statement condemning the incident and expressing their support for Engleson. “We are grateful that Jordy was not seriously injured and we fully support the league’s decision to suspend the player responsible for this unacceptable behavior,” the statement read.
This incident serves as a reminder that sportsmanship and respect for fellow players should always be a top priority in any sport. The BCHL has taken a strong stance against this type of violence and it is hoped that this suspension will serve as a deterrent for future incidents.
In the meantime, the Langley Trappers will have to continue their season without Horning, who was a key player on their team. It is a tough lesson for the young player to learn, but hopefully, he will use this experience to grow and become a better player and person in the future.
