London goon suspended
Enough is enough, it would seem. The Ontario Hockey League has given London Knights fringe forward Ryder Boulton an eight game suspension in the aftermath of a recent slashing major on Saginaw Spirit star defenceman Zayne Parekh.
The OHL’s department of player safety gave Boulton a four game ban for what it termed a “reckless” slash on Parekh and an additional four game sentence for the London player’s “recent and relevant history of on ice conduct that has come under review” by the league.
The 5 foot 11, 195 pound Boulton, who has a 2006 birth date and is known more for his physical play than skill level, has also been ordered to meet with the OHL’s department of player safety. He previously was suspended two games for a check to the head in a Nov. 8 game against the North Bay Battalion and was then shortly after assessed another two game ban for being the aggressor in a fight against the Barrie Colts.
Boulton has one goal, zero assists, one point and 34 penalty minutes in 14 games with the Knights this season.
A free agent signee by London ahead of the ’23-24 season, Boulton had two goals, three assists, five points and 56 penalty minutes in 45 games for the Knights as a rookie. He then had one assist and six penalty minutes in 11 playoff games for the eventual OHL champion Knights.