Fans fume at 'soft' Canadian hockey league after it suspended player for his reaction to charity Christmas toy drive

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has suspended a player on the Saginaw Spirit after he launched donated teddy bears off the ice and into the crowd during a game on the road against the Sarnia Sting on Sunday.

After Sarnia's Beckham Edwards scored the home team's lone goal of the night, fans in attendance began throwing teddy bears onto the ice in celebration. This is a tradition in Canadian hockey, with the toys usually donated to local hospitals and charities.

But after being caught in something of a furry avalanche, Saginaw's Michael Misa began shooting the bears with his stick back over the glass and into the crowd.

Intentionally shooting objects off the ice and into the audience constitutes a game misconduct - which meant Misa was kicked out of the game.

On Wednesday, the OHL - one of Canada's three 'major junior' leagues, which plays the top prospects in the sport - announced that Misa would be suspended one game for his actions.

Hockey fans criticized the league for the suspension - saying that his actions didn't deserve the punishment.

'Why is the OHL so soft?,' wrote one user on X, formerly Twitter.

'This is the type of bulls**t that's gonna make players leave for the NCAA when they're eligible,' wrote another user - referring to a recent NCAA ruling that will allow players in the three major junior leagues (the Ontario Hockey League, the Western Hockey League, and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League) to play for American universities and colleges beginning in 2025.

Another user said, 'A teddy bear isn't exactly going to hurt anyone, it's just funny.' 

'Because he shot a teddy bear back into the crowd... Wildly soft thing to suspend someone over. Literally and figuratively,' joked another user. 

Other users understood the rule, despite the fact that Misa was only shooting stuffed animals.

'They got it right. It's one of those rare times,' read one post - while another user said, 'It's ridiculous on the surface, but I get why the rule is in place.' 

Despite losing Misa, Saginaw - the reigning Memorial Cup champions - won the game 4-1.

Misa, 17, is draft eligible in 2025 and is regarded as one of the top prospects in the upcoming pool of players. NHL Central Scouting has yet to release its first list of the 2024-25 campaign, which ranks prospects as the season progresses.