The Ontario Hockey League has fined the Niagara IceDogs $250,000 for violating player recruitment rules.
The shocking announcement made this afternoon on the OHL's website.
The league has also taken away 1st round draft selections in the 2019 and 2021 OHL Priority Selection process.
The fines follow a league-requested third-party investigation by a law firm.
The investigation found that the IceDogs violated certain league player recruitment policies.
OHL Commissioner David Branch says it's critical that all clubs operate within recruitment guidelines, and when a club ignores these guidelines, significant sanctions are required.
Team officials tell CKTB "This is why we made staff changes at the end of the 2016 season. This has nothing to do with the current team or staff. We will not be commenting any further."
Marty Williamson, who was head coach of the IceDogs was fired after the 2016 season.
He is now the head coach of Brock University's men's hockey team.
The team official would not specifically say who he was referring to, but says they will be appealing the ruling.
610 CKTB is a broadcast partner with the IceDogs airing all games.
The next game is Saturday night in Erie, they will be home on Sunday.