Ex-Bruin Jakub Lauko condemns OHL's suspension of Landon Sim for calling a player "Mennonite"

London Knights forward Landon Sim has found himself embroiled in controversy after his on-ice actions during a game on November 6, but not everyone agrees with the subsequent punishment he received.

During a game between the Knights and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Sim referred to an opposition player as a "Mennonite" and has been suspended for the next five games by the Ontario Hockey League after they ruled that he “intended to provoke an opposing player that was marginalizing on both religious and cultural grounds.”

The ruling isn't sitting well with former Boston Bruins and current Minnesota Wild forward Jakub Lauko.

"Not trying to offend anyone here, but are we actually trying to make Junior hockey as soft as possible??" he wrote on X.

Several X users agreed with Lauko, voicing their support for his view.

"The game is so f***ing soft now. The stuff that was said when I was playing would have people banned for life now," replied @MarkNFT.

"It’s an extreme overreaction, I get where the intent is coming from but IMO they missed the mark on this suspension," added @MgsSmu.

"Sports has fallen into the politically correct hole. Hopefully it can pull itself out of it as well. Please lord help sports out,please. Especially hockey," opined @Ryandug48057177.

"Fella you’re not offending anyone. They’re trying to make junior hockey as soft as possible. I’m very Mennonite and this is pure insanity at this point. I’d laugh if someone got called a Mennonite as a slur lol. We like borchst and are pacifists," wrote @RagedEvoh.

"Yep they are, so by the time this generation gets to the pros there won't be any hitting. Stick checks. Like international hockey or the allstar game but every game," agreed @Punishers8nt.

"Yea they are. Hockey and Canada in general are becoming soft places to reside for anyone who wants to have a bit of fun. Absolute joke," added @MrMiyagiKd.

It's clear that the suspension has drawn a polarized reaction from fans.

Landon Sim's agent appears to support his client's punishment

While plenty of fans disagree with the suspension, Sim's agent appears content with the punishment. He said the incident could become a teachable moment for his client.

“He used the word ‘Mennonite,’ ” Sim’s agent Andrew Maloney of Maloney and Thompson Sports Management said. “He was insulted by a player on the other team, just regular back-and-forth banter. Landon used the word toward him. I think it was just something he said without knowledge behind it.

“Obviously, it’s wrong and inappropriate. It’s a teachable moment and something he’s not going to repeat now that he’s totally aware of it.”

Sim will be eligible to return to the Knights' lineup on November 22 when they take on the Owen Sound Attack.