The Ontario Hockey League has come down hard on the Niagara IceDogs following a months-long investigation into violation of several policies, including harassment and bullying.
The third-party investigation found the IceDogs breached the league's maltreatment, bullying and harassment protection and prevention policy and its code of conduct.
No specific details were released, but as a result of the investigation the following punishments were handed down:
- The IceDogs were fined $100,000
- The team will forfeit its first pick in the 2024 draft
- Owner Darren DeDobbelaer is suspended from acting as team general manager for two seasons
- IceDogs players Joshua Rosenzweig and Landon Cato have been banned from the league
Rosenzweig, a goalie, and Cato, the team's captain last season, were both eligible to return next season as overage players.
The league said its investigator interviewed approximately 15 former players, coaches, staff and team officials over a period of several months.
The third-party investigator found policies were breached, Cato and Rosenzwig participated in "serious violations of the Player Maltreatment Policy," and DeDobbelaer violated the confidentiality directive of the league.