The Ontario Hockey League has suspended Brampton Steelheads defenseman Luke Dragusica indefinitely pending a hearing for a two-handed slash to the head of Oshawa Generals defenseman Brady Blaseg.
The hit came late in the third period of Friday’s game in Oshawa, with Brampton up 3-0. Dragisuca got crunched between two Oshawa players – Blaseg and Harrison Franssen – behind the Steelheads net, knocking him awkwardly into the boards. The Brampton blueliner got up and retaliated with a two-handed slash to Blaseg’s head. The Generals d-man fell to the ice, where Dragusica continued his attack with a cross-check.
Dragusica was issued a match penalty for slashing by referees Scott Ferguson and Nick Isaacson.
The OHL isn’t afraid to hand out lengthy suspensions. London Knights forward Ryder Boulton was suspended eight games for slashing last season. Guelph’s Ryan McGuire picked up a seven-game ban for an illegal check to the head last October.
This one, not far off from the two-handed swing that earned LA Kings defenseman Marty McSorley a career-ending 23-game suspension and a criminal conviction for a slash to the head of Donald Brashear of the Vancouver Canucks, should top both of those.
Update: Like McSorely, Dragusica has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs. with The league’s ruling reminds us that “deliberate use of a stick as a weapon to an opponent’s head, followed by further contact on a defenceless player, is a dangerous and unacceptable act that has no place in the OHL.” But that’s not all… From the OHL:
As part of this sanction, Dragusica will be required to complete a League-mandated education, counselling and community service program and appear before a Reinstatement Panel before being eligible to apply for reinstatement for the 2026–27 season.
The League will continue to support the well-being, physical and mental health of all players involved, with resources available through the OHL’s partnership with both the Canadian Mental Health Association as well as Heroic Minds.
This incident will be incorporated into ongoing education for OHL players, coaches and officials to reinforce the League’s commitment to player safety and respect in our game.
