Kitchener Rangers forward Matthew Hlacar has been slapped with a six-game suspension by the Ontario Hockey League for a blindside hit.

The Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick was tossed from last Friday’s 5-4 overtime loss in Sault Ste. Marie after he took a run at Greyhounds defenceman Jakub Winkelhofer late in the second period.

Hlacar caught the 18-year-old rearguard unaware with a needless hit after the Czechia native had cleared the puck from his own zone.

Winkelhofer was visibly stunned. He was treated by the Soo trainer and stayed in the game but did not play the next day against the Windsor Spitfires.

Hlacar received a five-minute match penalty and automatic ejection for a blindside hit on the play.

A 19-year-old Binbrook native, Hlacar was drafted by the Leafs in the seventh round

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