The Sudbury Wolves are reportedly under investigation by the Ontario Junior Hockey League since they allegedly offered bonuses with the aim of injuring an opposing player, numerous sources have revealed to the Sportsnet network.
The allegations were made after Barrie Colts defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson delivered a hard, but legal, body check to Wolves forward Nathan Villeneuve during a game on January 18. No penalty was called on the sequence.
Aitcheson then fought one of Villeneuve’s teammates, Nolan Collins.
The two teams met again three days later, but Aitcheson was not in uniform.
According to people who spoke on condition of anonymity with Sportsnet, rumors had reached the ears of the Colts, who would have learned that a bounty had been placed on Aitcheson’s head. As a result, the Colts opted to move him out of the starting lineup.
Asked about these allegations, the OHL admitted that it was investigating an incident, without saying more since the investigation is still ongoing.
The two teams, who will face each other again on February 28 in Sudbury, have not made any comments on this subject, according to Sportsnet.
This incident is reminiscent of the injury bonus program scandal that rocked the NFL’s New Orleans Saints in 2012.
Following a lengthy investigation by the Goodell circuit, the head coach of the Saints at the time, Sean Payton, was suspended for one year without pay, among other things. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis (8 games) and his assistant Joey Vitt (6 games) were also punished.
Four players were also suspended without pay, including defense leader Jonathan Vilma, who missed the entire season. The others were Anthony Hargrove (8 games), Will Smith (4 games), and Scott Fujita (3 games).