London Knights 2024-25 Season Thread, Part V

[ArielNederland]

I honestly would think 10 games would be sufficient depending on whether or not there were other issues. I would think he is in enough legal trouble and would realize he could have hurt someone really badly.

I don’t think he is a bad kid, just did something incredibly stupid.

His court date is march 26 I think so I could see them suspending him until then

 

[DetSpitsFan]

I think having a new commissioner this is uncharted territory. Fleeing the scene just makes it worse. At the end of the day, he’s a kid, that made a big mistake. I can’t see the league cracking down hard on it, especially with how community based a lot of these teams are and the influence they have on younger kids.

At the same time, Allen’s an exceptional player. It’s unfortunate the cost paid, for him to turn around and do something stupid… 20 year olds do stupid stuff, he’s 20. The big issue here is he got caught, and got his name plastered in newspapers around Ontario within 24 hours. Can’t be covered up at this point, and I can’t imagine it helps OHLs image.

His court date is march 26 I think so I could see them suspending him until then

The original article I saw was the 5th? I’d expect an “indefinite”/“pending review” up until the court date, with a re-instatement shortly after.

 

[HUSH10]

I personally think anything less than the rest of the season + playoffs is considered a light punishment from the league.

At face value, a young adult was drinking and driving, crashed their vehicle with a passenger inside with them, and fled the scene after the accident and failed to report it.

2 lives were almost ended that night, let alone the publics lives were at risk. Let's not forget the Johnny Gaudreau accident. This is a very hot button issue that I do not think the legal system, the league or public will take lightly.

 

[Otto]

It hasn't been reported but there was another player also involved.

At least 1

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

The only thing in his favour is that his actions really only hurt him and his teammate that was drinking with him. Yes it’s bad but he is the guilty party and the victim here.

It’s very different than hurting someone else. I still say a severe discipline in the 10 game mark which is March anyway

 

[Oryx05]

Can't help but ask, and perhaps no one knows the answer - does the team not have a curfew for players? If so, why was he out until 3am drinking. In Kitchener, Billets are responsible for enforcing curfew, and may even receive calls from the team from time to time verifying the player is home.

If I'm his parents, first and foremost disappointed/pissed etc at my child for their reckless decisions leading to this incident, and then my second disappointment is with those who I've entrusted with my child's safety and wellbeing - his billets and team.

I expect he'll be sitting out for a while given the serious nature of the charges - no excuses - it's a significant violation of the OHL code of conduct and leaves a black eye on the Knights and the League. Not a good look

 

[Kingpin794]

I do take some issue with the "he's just a 20 year old. They make mistakes" take. He's not just some random kid. He is an NHL drafted player. Someone who's likely had every opportunity afforded to them in their life. He is held to a higher standard as a representative of not only his team, but the OHL, and the Capitals. He had options available to him instead of driving. He knows that. I hope he gets any help he needs because this needs to be nipped in the bud. Hockey should be the absolute last thing he should be worrying about the rest of this year.

 

[HUSH10]

Can't help but ask, and perhaps no one knows the answer - does the team not have a curfew for players? If so, why was he out until 3am drinking. In Kitchener, Billets are responsible for enforcing curfew, and may even receive calls from the team from time to time verifying the player is home.

If I'm his parents, first and foremost disappointed/pissed etc at my child for their reckless decisions leading to this incident, and then my second disappointment is with those who I've entrusted with my child's safety and wellbeing - his billets and team.

I expect he'll be sitting out for a while given the serious nature of the charges - no excuses - it's a significant violation of the OHL code of conduct and leaves a black eye on the Knights and the League. Not a good look

Every team has a curfew. I know in Oshawa last I checked the curfew was 11pm

 

[Hkytalk47]

Doubt it, only punishment will come from the league directly

They (London) were going to happily welcome back Mailloux until the league suspended him.

Do you think the Knights would have happily welcomed back Mailloux if he were just an average or below average player? How would the Knights handle this current situtaion if it was their 6th or 7th D involved rather than a top D? You can bet he would be released by the Knights and not welcome back and likely out of the league. If you are a top player, organizations have a different set of rules and consequences for you. I don't know what a fair punishment should be, but you can bet the Knights organization would handle it one way for an expendable player and another way for a top player which sends the wrong message.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

I do take some issue with the "he's just a 20 year old. They make mistakes" take. He's not just some random kid. He is an NHL drafted player. Someone who's likely had every opportunity afforded to them in their life. He is held to a higher standard as a representative of not only his team, but the OHL, and the Capitals. He had options available to him instead of driving. He knows that. I hope he gets any help he needs because this needs to be nipped in the bud. Hockey should be the absolute last thing he should be worrying about the rest of this year.

I agree to an extent. These players are quite different from most 20 year olds. I think they’re inclined to make some mistakes, and that should be expected with the age. However, this is a very serious mistake. On the bright side, it seems that everyone is safe/healthy after the crash. However, had someone been in the wrong place at the wrong time, they may not have been so lucky.

The fact this is getting mass media coverage as “Washington Capitals prospect” I think works heavily against Allen and the Knights.

This is being picked up by major US media outlets, many of which go, “he’s 20? Underaged drinking and driving!” Obviously not the case in Canada, but when these stories are spreading and it’s getting the ties to the Caps, it’s not a good sign if you’re looking for a light punishment.

It’s making the Knights look bad if they don’t discipline it, makes the OHL look bad if they don’t discipline it and makes the Caps look bad if they don’t discipline it.

The more I read, I think he’s done for the season. Now from a future of the team perspective, maybe this prevents the caps from sending him to the AHL next year, and he’s back for an OA season. Or maybe they’ll move him along to disassociate with the incident. Unfortunately anywhere he plays this season, whether it’s in London, in the playoffs or in the memorial cup, the press of this incident will follow him.

If I’m the team, I’m pushing him away from stuff just so the team can focus on their end goal.

 

[Oryx05]

Every team has a curfew. I know in Oshawa last I checked the curfew was 11pm

And I'm sure on nights where you have the next day off, for instance, you may be afforded additional time to be a teenager/young adult. 3am though? Where were the billets to safely get him home if he'd be drinking as a legal adult to drink? Does he not live with a billet family and perhaps living alone?

 

[StormWatcher]

Do you think the Knights would have happily welcomed back Mailloux if he were just an average or below average player? How would the Knights handle this current situtaion if it was their 6th or 7th D involved rather than a top D? You can bet he would be released by the Knights and not welcome back and likely out of the league. If you are a top player, organizations have a different set of rules and consequences for you. I don't know what a fair punishment should be, but you can bet the Knights organization would handle it one way for an expendable player and another way for a top player which sends the wrong message.

This is the entitlement these kids grew up with being elite level hockey players, and that has to change from the ground up if not the top down.

 

[Oryx05]

Agreed. We all ask for hockey culture to change, but often get in our own way opt for light punishment when the opportunity to swing a heavy hammer exists....

 

[StormWatcher]

This is the entitlement these kids grew up with being elite level hockey players, and that has to change from the ground up if not the top down.

As someone who thankfully has not been around rep hockey but has heard the stories, it starts with blaming the refs every time your kid's team loses... stop blaming the coach for your kid's lack of talent/success. It's always someone else's fault. And when that's the message you've heard growing up, you internalize it.

 

[Otto]

Do you think the Knights would have happily welcomed back Mailloux if he were just an average or below average player? How would the Knights handle this current situtaion if it was their 6th or 7th D involved rather than a top D? You can bet he would be released by the Knights and not welcome back and likely out of the league. If you are a top player, organizations have a different set of rules and consequences for you. I don't know what a fair punishment should be, but you can bet the Knights organization would handle it one way for an expendable player and another way for a top player which sends the wrong message.

I think I've posted this story before, and it ties into the curfew as well.

The late, great Kelly Thomson told us this story to us at one of the Corey Perry golf tournament events

Years back, some of the boys were out very late and got caught. I can't remember all of the players involved, but Thomson and Perry were two of them. The very next morning, Branks had them on the ice bag skating them.. well everyone except Perry. Thomson says to Branks "How come Pears" isn't here ?" Branks shoots back "You can get out of it if you score 40 in a season"

 

[LDN]

Really is ironic isn’t it

Btw does anyone know who the 2nd player involved was?

 

[ArielNederland]

Really is ironic isn’t it

Btw does anyone know who the 2nd player involved was?

No. If player was under 18 they won't release name

 

[Slowpace]

This is being picked up by major US media outlets, many of which go, “he’s 20? Underaged drinking and driving!” Obviously not the case in Canada, but when these stories are spreading and it’s getting the ties to the Caps, it’s not a good sign if you’re looking for a light punishment.

He wasn't charged with underage drinking he's 20. Charged for drinking as a "novice driver" which means he hasn't completed the graduated licensing program. You can be 75 and classified a novice driver.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

He wasn't charged with underage drinking he's 20. Charged for drinking as a "novice driver" which means he hasn't completed the graduated licensing program. You can be 75 and classified a novice driver.

Not saying he was, as it’s not underaged drinking in Canada. But a lot of uneducated Americans see that article, and it looks worse, because had he been playing for Washington, or Hershey, or anywhere stateside where he intends to next year… at his current age, it would’ve been underaged drinking.

Not that he was, but the articles picked up by US readers instantly assume he was.

 

[Otto]

I agree to an extent. These players are quite different from most 20 year olds. I think they’re inclined to make some mistakes, and that should be expected with the age. However, this is a very serious mistake. On the bright side, it seems that everyone is safe/healthy after the crash. However, had someone been in the wrong place at the wrong time, they may not have been so lucky.

The fact this is getting mass media coverage as “Washington Capitals prospect” I think works heavily against Allen and the Knights.

This is being picked up by major US media outlets, many of which go, “he’s 20? Underaged drinking and driving!” Obviously not the case in Canada, but when these stories are spreading and it’s getting the ties to the Caps, it’s not a good sign if you’re looking for a light punishment.

It’s making the Knights look bad if they don’t discipline it, makes the OHL look bad if they don’t discipline it and makes the Caps look bad if they don’t discipline it.

The more I read, I think he’s done for the season. Now from a future of the team perspective, maybe this prevents the caps from sending him to the AHL next year, and he’s back for an OA season. Or maybe they’ll move him along to disassociate with the incident. Unfortunately anywhere he plays this season, whether it’s in London, in the playoffs or in the memorial cup, the press of this incident will follow him.

If I’m the team, I’m pushing him away from stuff just so the team can focus on their end goal.

Again, Jordan Dumais. His incident had zero effect on his NHL career.

 

[HUSH10]

Again, Jordan Dumais. His incident had zero effect on his NHL career.

One was a DUI found at a traffic stop.
Other was a DUI found after a vehicle had crashed and found unoccupied as the accused fled the scene and one of the passengers sustained minor injuries but transported to hospital.

While both are completely reckless root causes, Allen's has more consequences and risk factors.

Also, Jordan Dumais only getting 5 games was also not enough punishment in most people's eyes.

 

[LDN]

One was a DUI found at a traffic stop.
Other was a DUI found after a vehicle had crashed and found unoccupied as the accused fled the scene and one of the passengers sustained minor injuries but transported to hospital.

While both are completely reckless root causes, Allen's has more consequences and risk factors.

Also, Jordan Dumais only getting 5 games was also not enough punishment in most people's eyes.

The bare minimum for Allen is 15 games. I would be surprised if there is anything less. 15 games would be extremely light. Knights have 19 games left in the regular season.

 

[Otto]

One was a DUI found at a traffic stop.
Other was a DUI found after a vehicle had crashed and found unoccupied as the accused fled the scene and one of the passengers sustained minor injuries but transported to hospital.

While both are completely reckless root causes, Allen's has more consequences and risk factors.

Also, Jordan Dumais only getting 5 games was also not enough punishment in most people's eyes.

Sure, but none of that will affect his professional hockey career.

 

[HUSH10]

Sure, but none of that will affect his professional hockey career.

That's up to Washington.

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Sure, but none of that will affect his professional hockey career.

Ryan O'Reilly crashed his truck into a Tim Hortons in Lucan, Fled the scene and didn't appear to get any NHL suspension. I think that case, might be a closer comparable. The biggest difference, it happened in the summer and he was acquitted before hockey began again.