OHL indefinitely suspends Niagara IceDogs GM, head coach for inappropriate texts
Two individuals who serve as the minority owners, general manager and head coach of the Niagara IceDogs in Ontario Hockey League were suspended indefinitely and fined $150,000 for violation of the league's Leagues’ Harassment & Abuse/Diversity Policy, the league announced Wednesday.
The OHL, which is a developmental league for players aged 16-20, announced it had began an investigation into general manager, team governor and minority owner Joey Burke and head coach and minority owner Billy Burke after it was alleged that the two made offensive comments in a team group chat.
The league then reviewed transcripts from a March 6 conversation in WhatsApp and concluded that the conversation ran "counter to the OHL’s Onside program which emphasizes the importance of demonstrating respect for women through actions and words."
The owners are suspended until at least June 1, 2024, in which at that time they can apply for reinstatement.
OHL Commissioner David Branch will then consider reinstatement based on if the Burkes have successfully completed counseling and education and if they don't violate any other league rules or policies.
It's the second OHL suspension in the last month after the league removed Flint Firebirds president Terry Christensen due to inappropriate conduct after allegedly for making a racial comment about a player.