Sudbury Wolves’ Nathan Villeneuve, Evan Konyen receive suspensions for violating league’s social media policy

The Ontario Hockey League has announced that Sudbury Wolves forwards Nathan Villeneuve (15 games) and Evan Konyen (10 games) have been suspended for violating the league’s social media policy.

According to a league statement, “The League became aware of concerning allegations surrounding inappropriate game-related comments shared on a Sudbury Wolves group chat following a game between the Wolves and the Barrie Colts on January 18.”

No specific details surrounding the group chat messages were released.

“The League’s investigation revealed that Wolves players Nathan Villeneuve and Evan Konyen violated the OHL Social Media Policy in a manner detrimental to the welfare of the League, one that would greatly compromise player safety and the overall integrity of the game,” the statement said.

Villeneuve, 17, is projected to go in the top 90 of the 2024 NHL Draft. The Ottawa, Ontario native has 23 goals and 51 points with the Wolves, his second year in the league. He currently sits sixth in team scoring.

Konyen, a 20-year-old from Newmarket, Ontario, is seventh in team scoring in his third year with the club. He set a career-best 22 goals and was on pace to crack the 50-point mark for the second time in his career. Konyen is eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft, but has already been passed over twice.

The Wolves have nine games remaining in the regular season, with both players set to miss first-round playoff action. The Wolves are third in the Eastern Conference with a 34-19-6 record, giving them 74 points. The team sits two behind the first-place Brantford Bulldogs, with the top six in the conference sitting within seven points of each other.