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Junior hockey player suspended for season for vicious slash

The Ontario Hockey League came down hard on defenseman Luke Dragusica, suspending him for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs for a slash to an opponent’s head.

The junior hockey league had already suspended him indefinitely, pending a review.

The incident happened Friday, Nov. 14. Dragusica, who plays for the Brampton Steelheads, was checked by the Oshawa Generals’ Brady Blaseg. As Blaseg got up and skated away, Dragusica followed and slashed him in the side of the head. He also cross-checked Blaseg while he was on the ice.

Blaseg left the game and didn’t return. Dragusica was ejected after receiving a match penalty for slashing.

‘The deliberate use of a stick as a weapon to an opponent’s head, followed by further contact on a defenseless player, is a dangerous and unacceptable act that has no place in the OHL,’ the league said in a statement.

Dragusica will be required to complete a league-mandated education, counseling and community service program, the OHL said. He’ll have to appear before a panel to apply for reinstatement for the 2026–27 season.

Dragusica, 18, has two assists and 37 penalty minutes in 15 games this season for Brampton. He was eligible for the 2025 draft but didn’t get selected. He was invited by the Buffalo Sabres to a prospects tournament and returned to his junior team afterward.

Blaseg returned for the Generals’ next game on Sunday and was hit from behind into the boards. Erie Otters forward Brett Hammond received a game misconduct and a one-game suspension for that hit.

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This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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