In a sudden and unexplained turnaround, the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OHL) has imposed an indefinite suspension on Montreal Canadiens prospect Arber Xhekaj.
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The 20-year-old defenseman appears to have been punished for a move dating back to Friday, but he was then able to help the Kitchener Rangers dispose of the Sarnia Sting on Sunday. On Tuesday, however, he was not in uniform, serving the first game of a suspension, according to the OHL.
To come back to the duel of December 3, Xhekaj had passed the K.-O. to Owen Sound Attack captain Mark Woolley during a heavy fight. His opponent’s head then hit the ice hard. Video of the incident then shows the rear placing both hands on his cheek in a gesture meaning he had sent Woolley to sleep. The latter has not replayed since.
According to the daily “The Record”, the OHL never specified the reason for Xhekaj’s suspension. “We are not sure if it is for the fight, we are not sure if it is for the gesture or for something else,” Rangers head coach Mike told Ontario media on Sunday. McKenzie.
OHL commissioner David Branch declined to further explain the circuit’s decision on Xhekaj. “I won’t go into details at this time. We consider everything that has been said, in all fairness to Arber, ”he said on Wednesday to“ The Record ”.
The main person was also suspended for five meetings in October for a croc-en-leg.
Never drafted by a National Hockey League team, the Hamilton native impressed enough at CH’s last training camp to secure a three-year entry contract. Xhekaj started the season well in Kitchener with 13 points in 16 games and a +9 rating.