Jake Marchment, a Kings 6th-round draft pick, and Greg Betzold, both of the Ontario Hockey League, were suspended 15 games each by the league Wednesday. From the official statement:

These suspensions follow recent social networking activity that has come to the League's attention. This most inappropriate and concerning activity contravenes the League's social networking policy and a number of other policies including Respect in Sport (Harassment and Abuse) and diversity.


Screen shots surfaced on Twitter earlier this week of conversations Betzold and a third player, Chad Heffernan, had with women through the dating app Tinder.


On Monday Betzold tweeted out an apology, and afterwards Peterborough Petes GM Mike Oke made an unsatisfying statement that the team had dealt with the situation internally, but wouldn't elaborate on what that meant.

Yesterday, Marchment took responsibility for the message sent from his teammate Heffernan's phone, tweeting out a clarification and an apology:

In the past 24 hours there have been some comments made about my teammate Chad Heffernan. I would like to make it very clear that these comments were made by myself on his cell phone, not by Chad. Even though it was a private conversation, my comments were inaproriate [sic], disrespectful, and I accept full responsibility for my actions. I have embarrassed myself, my teammates, the Belleville Bulls organization and the city of Belleville. I truly apologize for my actions.

Apparently neither apology nor internal team punishment was enough for the OHL.

h/t Andrew

Photo of Jake Marchment via the Belleville Bulls