The Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) have been fined $15,000 following a post-playoff game news conference where the coach and team captain delivered a repetitive response of “No one cares, work harder.” This penalty was imposed shortly after the Colts secured a 5-0 victory over the Brantford Bulldogs in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final, propelling them to the OHL title series against the Kitchener Rangers.
During the brief media session, Colts head coach Dylan Smoskowitz and captain Kashawn Aitcheson opted to offer little beyond the reiterated phrase in response to questions from the press. Aitcheson, in particular, brushed off inquiries about his goal and goaltender Ben Hrebik’s stellar performance with the same curt remark.
In reflecting on the incident during an interview with TSN’s Overdrive, Smoskowitz acknowledged his responsibility for the responses, attributing his reaction to not being allowed the full team’s presence at the media briefing. He expressed regret for his behavior, admitting it was not the mature approach to the situation.
Smoskowitz characterized the series against Brantford as competitive and acknowledged that responding with a single phrase was a mistake from which he would learn. He commended Aitcheson for following instructions and described him as a commendable individual.
The OHL deemed the comments made by the Colts as “highly unprofessional,” leading to the imposed fine for conduct that was considered damaging to the league’s public image. Emphasizing the importance of professionalism, the OHL stated that such behavior represented a disservice to the media members covering the league.
As the Colts gear up to face the Kitchener Rangers in the J. Ross Robertson Cup series, Rangers forward Sam O’Reilly, recipient of the Red Tilson Trophy for the regular season’s outstanding player, expressed his anticipation for the upcoming games. He praised the Colts’ lineup and highlighted the importance of sticking to their game plan to secure victory.
Rangers general manager Mike McKenzie expressed excitement about starting the series at home, emphasizing the team’s enjoyment of playing in front of their enthusiastic fans. The series schedule includes games in both Kitchener and Barrie, culminating in the potential for a Game 7 showdown if needed.
The focus now shifts to the championship series as both teams prepare to battle for the coveted title in what promises to be an intense and thrilling showdown on the ice.
