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London Knights Ryder Boulton Handed Lengthy Suspension For Slashing Calgary Flames Top Prospect Zayne Parekh

jared brown
·2 min read

Last Saturday, Nov. 23, London Knights forward Ryder Boulton was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for slashing Saginaw Spirit and Calgary Flames' top defense prospect Zayne Parekh.

After reviewing the incident, the OHL's Department of Player Safety suspended the second-year forward for eight games.

"The OHL’s Department of Player Safety has allotted four games within the eight-game suspension being attributed to the slash itself, citing that Boulton’s actions fall into the category of “reckless.” An additional four games of the suspension have been attributed to Boulton’s recent and relevant history of on-ice conduct that has come under review by the League’s Department of Player Safety," wrote the OHL.

The clip of the slash can be found here.

Boulton has been suspended once this season already.

He was suspended for one pre-season and one regular season game after instigating a fight and removing a player’s helmet in a game against the Sarnia Sting on Sept. 20.

Players from the London Knights frequently find themselves in trouble with the league. For instance, Landon Sim received a five-game suspension for referring to another player as a "Mennonite."

Related: London Knights Landon Sim Suspended Indefinitely

Ryder's brother Sawyer found himself in the bad books of the OHL last season on several occasions. Below is a list of suspensions Sawyer Boulton faced last year:

The Boulton brothers last year were wildly known as a couple of reckless fourth-line players for London. Sawyer signed an AHL contract with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but his younger brother Ryder continues to bring that physical intensity to the lineup, which the Hunter brothers love.

However, there's a fine line between using your physicality to create momentum and energy for your team, and just wanting to hurt your opposition.

Ryder's slash on Zayne Parekh shows clear intent to injure with how forceful of a swing he made. Parekh made a strong punch-stop to shake off Boulton's defensive pressure up at the blueline, which clearly riled him up.

In the OHL's statement, Boulton will meet with the OHL's Department of Player Safety before returning to the lineup. He is eligible to return on Dec. 15 when the Knights clash against the Kitchener Rangers.

Related: London Knights Trade NHL Draft Prospect To Niagara IceDogs

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