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In a fiery conclusion to a tightly contested match, Brandon Prust and four players from his London Nationals team received suspensions following a wild brawl at the end of their 6-5 road loss to Port Colborne.
The former NHL player, now a coach, faces an automatic three-game suspension, along with his counterpart from the Sailors, Kevin Rosebrugh. This punishment was enacted by the officials of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) because both teams failed to control their benches after the final buzzer sounded, leading to the chaos.
“That obviously didn’t play out too well in the whole scenario,” GOJHL commissioner Craig Spada remarked on the post-game altercation that marred the weekend’s festivities.
London players Philip Marcarian, Luke McSorley, and William Muszynski were each slapped with a three-game ban for engaging in fights with their Port Colborne opponents, Ian Krakowiak, Jake Salvatore, and Andrew Kennedy, right after the match ended. Furthermore, Muszynski could face additional disciplinary action due to an attempted injury incident that occurred during the scuffle.
Nationals defenceman Aydan Doyle, who previously played with Port Colborne, found himself in trouble for confronting his former teammate PJ Alexander amidst the chaos. As a result of his actions, Doyle was issued an indefinite suspension starting Wednesday.
The GOJHL expressed that this entire incident could have been prevented if both teams had simply proceeded to their respective dressing rooms at the end of the game. “When the game is over, it’s over,” emphasized Spada. “We don’t want this for our league. Player safety is our top priority. We’ve invested almost $100,000 in full paramedic equipment in every building, and we’ve made each team responsible for having a first responder on the bench.”
“Therefore, we don’t want these incidents escalating at the end of games or multiple fighting situations. We want players on the ice and coaches behind the benches,” added Spada, stressing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game.
The suspensions mean that Prust and the affected Nationals players will miss the highly anticipated home game against Elmira on Wednesday. However, the new coach, who has led the Nationals to an impressive 9-3-2-1 record in his first 15 games, will be eligible to return to the bench on Friday, Nov. 15, for a matchup against the defending Sutherland Cup champion Listowel Cyclones.
rpyette@postmedia.com
London Nationals head coach Brandon Prust runs practice at Western Fair Sports Centre in London, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)
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**Interview on the Recent Incident in the GOJHL**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Commissioner Craig Spada. The recent brawl at the end of the London Nationals vs. Port Colborne game has sparked quite the conversation in the hockey community. Can you walk us through what transpired?
**Commissioner Spada:** Absolutely. What we witnessed was a disappointing scene that unfolded immediately after the final buzzer. Both teams failed to control their emotions and their benches, which led to multiple altercations on the ice. It culminated in suspensions for several players and coaches.
**Interviewer:** Indeed, it seems like a severe fallout. Can you elaborate on the consequences for Brandon Prust and the players involved?
**Commissioner Spada:** Brandon Prust faces an automatic three-game suspension, along with Kevin Rosebrugh, who coaches the Sailors. Players from the Nationals, including Philip Marcarian, Luke McSorley, and William Muszynski, received three-game bans. Additionally, Muszynski could incur further penalties for an attempt to injure during the brawl. It’s important to note that Aydan Doyle has been issued an indefinite suspension after confronting his former teammate.
**Interviewer:** What steps is the GOJHL taking to ensure player safety and prevent such incidents in the future?
**Commissioner Spada:** We’re looking into reinforcing our policies regarding player conduct after games. Our message is clear—when the game is over, it’s over. We want all players and staff to proceed to their dressing rooms to avoid these incidents. The goal is to maintain a safe and respectful environment in our league.
**Interviewer:** Moving forward, how do you think this incident will impact the teams involved and the league as a whole?
**Commissioner Spada:** It’s a wake-up call for everyone. The repercussions serve as a reminder that actions have consequences. Teams will need to remain vigilant in maintaining discipline both during and after games. We’re committed to the integrity of the GOJHL and ensuring the safety of our players.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Commissioner Spada, for your insights. It’s clear that the GOJHL is taking this matter seriously.
**Commissioner Spada:** Thank you for having me. We’re dedicated to improving the league and ensuring these types of incidents are not repeated.
