Posted By BRUCE HEIDMAN, THE SUDBURY STAR
Posted 1 hour ago
A so-called Sudbury Wolves hazing incident that apparently took place three years ago “has been addressed,” Wolves head coach/GM Mike Foligno said Wednesday.
“It was brought to our attention and we handled it and made everyone involved understand the importance of behaving properly,” Foligno said.
In a story that focused on former Windsor Spitfires coach Moe Mantha, The Globe and Mail reported Saturday the Wolves were involved in what it called a hazing incident three years ago, shortly after the infamous Akim Aliu-Steve Downie incident in Windsor.
The Globe reported several rookies were taken to the middle of Long Lake in a boat and told to jump in the water, with one player who refused being pushed into the lake with his clothes on.
The players were told to swim under the boat, the Globe said, then were swatted on the buttocks with wooden spoons, spatulas and a butcher knife wrapped in newspaper.
The story said the incident took place at Foligno’s home while he was not there.
Foligno disputes the information in the Globe article where it pertains to his hockey club.
“It did not take place after the Aliu incident (in Windsor) and there was no knife involved,” he said.
Foligno was surprised at the interest the short Globe and Mail mention brought.
“It’s not what was talked about in the paper and it was blown out of proportion,” he said. “It’s a non-issue. It was handled and all parties involved were spoken to, concerned parents, too.”
The OHL has a zero tolerance policy for hazing, and Foligno said he will not put up with hazing on his team.
