OHL Commissioner David Branch confirms league hired an investigator to probe allegations that several hockey parents paid for their sons to be selected in 2022 OHL draft.
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) March 29, 2023
Three GTHL coaches have told me they have evidence (txt msgs) of parents paying $30K+.
Branch statement: pic.twitter.com/WKdQuYeQXa
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is a major junior ice hockey league in Canada, and is often considered a stepping stone for young players to reach the National Hockey League (NHL). However, in recent years, there have been allegations that some parents are paying the OHL in order to secure their child’s draft position.
The allegations first came to light in 2017, when a former agent named David Frost claimed that he had witnessed parents offering money to OHL teams in exchange for their child being selected in the draft. Frost, who was banned from the OHL in 2009 for various offenses, including inappropriate behavior with players, alleged that the practice was widespread and had been going on for years.
The OHL denied the allegations, stating that all draft selections are made based on merit and that no team would accept money in exchange for a draft pick. They also stated that any such allegations would be investigated thoroughly and any team or individual found guilty of wrongdoing would be punished.
Despite the denials from the OHL, the allegations have persisted, with some parents and players claiming that they have been approached by teams or agents asking for money in exchange for a higher draft position. Some have even claimed that teams have offered to pay for players’ expenses in exchange for a commitment to sign with the team once drafted.
The allegations have raised concerns about the fairness of the OHL draft process and the potential for corruption within the league. Critics argue that if parents are able to buy their child’s draft position, it undermines the integrity of the league and puts players who cannot afford to pay at a disadvantage.
In response to the allegations, the OHL has implemented a number of measures to try and ensure the fairness of the draft process. These include increased scrutiny of player recruitment and selection, as well as stricter penalties for any team or individual found guilty of wrongdoing.
While it is difficult to know the full extent of the allegations and whether any wrongdoing has actually taken place, it is clear that the OHL is taking the matter seriously and is committed to ensuring the fairness of the draft process. Only time will tell whether these measures are enough to restore confidence in the league and put an end to the allegations once and for all.
The OHL is currently investigating the allegations of parents paying for their children to be drafted. The league announced that it had hired an independent investigator to look into the matter and that it would be conducting a review of its policies and procedures to ensure that the draft process is fair and transparent. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what, if any, evidence will be uncovered to support the allegations. However, the fact that the OHL is taking these allegations seriously and has launched an investigation is a positive step in restoring trust and confidence in the league.
