The Barrie Colts have been fined $15,000 by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) following an unusual post-game press conference. This incident occurred after the Colts’ 5-0 victory over the Brantford Bulldogs in Game 7, which secured their spot in the OHL finals.
Details of the Incident
During the press conference, head coach Dylan Smoskowitz and star defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson responded to every media inquiry with the phrase, “no one cares, work harder.” This behavior was described by the OHL as conduct detrimental to the league.
- Game Date: The incident occurred on a Monday following Game 7.
- Final Score: Colts 5, Bulldogs 0.
- Fines: $15,000.
Response from the OHL
The league issued a statement condemning the comments, labeling them as highly unprofessional. The OHL expressed that such remarks compromise the relationship with media members essential for league coverage.
The Press Conference
Smoskowitz and Aitcheson faced a total of six questions before the moderator ended the availability. They consistently repeated their dismissive response, including when asked about their feelings after losing Game 4 by a significant margin, which put them in a challenging position in the series.
Looking Ahead to the Finals
The Barrie Colts are now focused on the upcoming OHL finals, where they will face the Kitchener Rangers. Achieving four more wins will bring them closer to competing for the prestigious Memorial Cup.
As the situation unfolded, the Colts’ frustration about media accessibility after the game became evident. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of professionalism in sports interviews.
