Reinstate Mike Liambus of the Erie Otters.

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    David Branch
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Mike Liambus, from Woodbridge Ont, is an OHL player with the Erie Otter and on October 30th 2009 he checked defenceman Ben Fanelli of the Kitchener Rangers into the end boards at Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Unfortunately Fanelli was hurt, but in my opinion and that of many others, Liambus did not break any rules of the OHL. He did not leave his feet nor did he target the head. Liambus just finished his check as he has been taught through out his life in hockey.
Liambus is 5'9" / 200lbs, 20 years old(last year of junior) as listed on the Otters website. He is an A+ student with an average in the high 90s and was a selfless contributor to and very involved with local charities in the Erie area.

It is my opinion that Mr David Branch, OHL Commissioner, is reacting to the media coverage of the incident, which apparently is extensive. It has been reported that the New York Times and a Washington D.C. paper are following the story.
In my opinion because Liambus is in his last year and may not have a future in hockey that he has been deemed expendable and made an example of, scapegoat if you will.
If in your opinion you agree that Mike Liambus has been unfairly treated then please sign this petition. It may not make a difference, but it gives us a chance to voice an opinion which may make a difference.

Whether you decide to sign or not, thank you for taking the time to read this petition.

195 Signatures

  • Danny MacDougall
    • Comments
    • I do not agree with Liambus being suspened for the rest of the season. An over reaction on Branch's part.
  • Dan Everett
  • Matthew Ballard
    • Comments
    • suspension is unacceptable for a play that was not illegal according to Branch
  • Jonathan
    • Comments
    • good hit, kid should not have turned and helmet was not strapped up right
  • steve bagshaw
    • Comments
    • mike is a good kid. played with my son in erie. is a solid player and individual
  • Debby Mc Queen
    • Comments
    • Mike is an outstanding young man and the hit to Ben was clean.
  • Craig
    • Comments
    • Overreation on the part of the OHL. No rule was broken
  • Norm Costello
  • Chris Murden
    • Comments
    • unfortunate result to a good clean hard hit
  • Devan Mighton
    • Comments
    • The suspension was way too harsh.
  • Douglas Sheppard
  • Jmaes Thompson
  • Jason Reid
  • mark
    • Comments
    • legal is legal and suspending b/c he hit to hard is not an option..hope the kid gets better soon
  • phlyerphanatic31
  • Jeff Doyle
  • Craig Shaw
    • Comments
    • clean hit, circumstances beyond the players control resulted in the injury to ben.
  • Jacques
    • Comments
    • WAY OVER THE TOP
  • Jonathan Mitchell
    • Comments
    • punished for the result not the crime
  • dave walsh
    • Comments
    • To Harsh of a punishment
  • Brian Barnes
  • Timothy Breen
    • Comments
    • There had been cases of more severe results with malicious intent to injure a player, however, the suspensions for those weren't as severe as this one even though this is not a dirty hockey play that is intented to injure.
  • Terry Neuber
    • Comments
    • Liambus' hit was not an intent to injure, it's unfortunate that Fanelli got hurt as bad as he did however hockey is a physical sport so there are injuries. Branch's reaction is over the top and isn't representative of what Laimbus did.
  • Alan Kan
    • Comments
    • The hit was clean, with no intent to injure. The suspension does not justify other ligheter suspension which the player had intent to injure
  • H Jean
  • Rick Palasti
  • Peter A. Cornelissen
    • Comments
    • The suspension is far to excessive for a hit that was legal in the game of hockey
  • Chris Thompson
  • Ron Valentine
    • Comments
    • I would like to see this suspension reduced
  • Blake Pite
  • Tyler Brown
  • ROb Steffler
  • Joe Parcels
  • Adam Bramburger
  • Debra Carter
    • Comments
    • Safety equipment rule should be in place that if helmet strap is not snuggley sercue under chin then a 10 minute equipment misconduct is to be served. Just as it is for not wearing month guard or neck guard.
  • David Tasker
  • Ben
    • Comments
    • It was a freaking clean hit. At worst, deserves an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Hope to Fanelli back on the ice soon, God bless him and his family, but Liambus is being hung out to dry for an unfortunate hockey collision. Ban checking if you must, but do not ban this kid (Liambus) for a clean hit.
  • Sandra McQueen
    • Comments
    • fair hit, unfortunate injury. Full cage might have prevented.
  • Sherry Reardon
    • Comments
    • unfortunate injury, hit does not constitute suspension
  • john bailey
    • Comments
    • it was a hit, I do not beleive it was anything more.
  • Kendra S
  • Kirsten S
  • tony
  • Kelly Neuber
  • Rodger Rodrigues
  • S. Dorr
  • Ken Abbott
  • matt
    • Comments
    • its to long for a clean hit
  • darrel leclair
    • Comments
    • too severe not even a penalty,political by david branch
  • Mike
    • Comments
    • Unfortunate incident, over reaction on suspension. It wasn't a Kugel or Bertuzzi type incident, he was going for a clean hard hit! This will discourage hitting in the game knowing you could be done if the guy turns at the last second which you have no control over...