OHL Suspends Landon Sim For Five Games For A Marginalizing Remark

The OHL suspended London Knights alternate captain Landon Sim for five games for using language that violates the league's code of conduct.

Sim received a game misconduct after the first period on a Nov. 6 matchup between the Knights and Soo Greyhounds. The league suspended Sim indefinitely while gathering information.

"Following an investigation, the league has determined that Sim violated the OHL code of conduct as a result of a remark intended to provoke an opposing player that was marginalizing on both religious and cultural grounds," the league said in Monday's announcement.

Five games is the minimum suspension for this type of violation. Sim has served two games already, which means he'll be eligible to return on Nov. 22.

The OHL noted that "all players have the right to participate in the Ontario Hockey League in a safe and healthy environment, which promotes equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices.

"All forms of harassment and abuse including, but not limited to, taunts and slurs and comments based on race, age, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability will not be tolerated and are completely unacceptable under any circumstances."

This is the second time in 2024 that the OHL suspended Sim for using language that violated league policy. He previously sat out five games during the OHL playoffs in May, including the start of the league championship final. Ken Campbell reported in May that Sim could not appeal the suspension since it was fewer than 10 games.

Related: Opinion: What's In a Word? OHL's Landon Sim Suspension Raises Questions

Sim's suspension is also the second time in November the OHL suspended a player for five games for inappropriate language. Saginaw Spirit captain and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Ethan Hay was ejected late in the third period on Oct. 27 and is eligible to return on Nov. 13. In that instance, the league said there are reasonable grounds to suggest Hay did not have malicious intent behind his remark, but it was used in a way that showed a lack of awareness.

The OHL said players and staff are educated on the league's diversity policy before every season, which makes it clear that "discriminatory comments of this nature" are prohibited. It also said the league's director of culture and community, Rico Phillips, is following up with Sim to try to prevent any future violations of this nature, as he did with Hay.

Sim, a sixth-round pick by the St. Louis Blues in 2022, has five goals and eight points in 10 games this season.

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