The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has enlisted the services of a prominent Toronto law firm to conduct a thorough cultural review of the Niagara IceDogs. This decision comes in light of multiple complaints regarding inappropriate behavior associated with the team staff, raising serious concerns about the internal environment of the organization.

In a statement to TSN, the OHL disclosed, “Recently the League received some complaints regarding the organizational culture of the Niagara IceDogs. The league takes these matters very seriously and has launched a third-party internal investigation into the allegations.” They are committed to addressing the situation with the highest level of scrutiny.

Brodie Barrick, the league's director of player recruitment and player support services, has been appointed to provide on-site support to the team’s leadership and players while reinforcing initiatives related to the “players first” program.

OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford confirmed the law firm Turnpenney Milne LLP was hired on March 3, 2023, to handle the cultural review. Renowned for its focus on workplace law, Turnpenney Milne was previously brought in by the Canadian Hockey League in 2021 to examine issues of abuse, hazing, and misconduct stemming from a class-action lawsuit involving multiple junior hockey leagues.

It’s important to note that Crawford clarified that the concerns raised in the current review do not pertain to sexual or criminal misconduct. However, the specifics of the complaints have not been fully disclosed as an IceDogs spokesman has declined to comment on the matter.

This investigation is not the first for the IceDogs, as it follows a series of scandals over the past few years. In 2022, the OHL indefinitely suspended general manager Joey Burke and head coach Billy Burke after an inquiry into inappropriate language exchanged in a group chat. That incident led to a hefty combined fine of $150,000 for both the Burkes and the franchise.

In an ironic twist of events, the IceDogs were under new ownership as of May 2022, when Brantford entrepreneur Darren DeDobbelaer purchased the team from Bill and Denise Burke, the parents of the former management. While Wayne Gretzky was initially announced as a minority stakeholder in the venture, it has been revealed that he has since divested from the organization.

The scrutiny surrounding the IceDogs escalated again in May 2023 when the team faced a $100,000 fine and lost a first-round draft pick. DeDobbelaer himself was suspended for two years due to misconduct involving players Joshua Rosenzweig and Landon Cato, both banned by the league as well.

As the investigation unfolds, fans and followers of junior hockey will be keenly watching how the OHL handles these critical issues that strike at the heart of the league's integrity and the wellbeing of its players. Will the Niagara IceDogs emerge from this turmoil stronger, or will it plunge deeper into controversy? Stay tuned for updates!