Burns suspended five games

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - Saint John Sea Dogs leading scorer Brady Burns has been suspended five games for violation of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's anti-discrimination policy.

Here's the league's press release on the suspension:

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced today that Saint John Sea Dogs forward Brady Burns has been suspended for five (5) games for violating the anti-discrimination policy.

The suspension was handed out following inappropriate language that was used on December 16 against the Cape Breton Eagles.

Burns was handed a game misconduct at the end of Friday's game for what was labelled as "discriminatory taunts, gestures and slurs." There was the typical end-of-game rough stuff at the final buzzer but the Eagles were noticeably upset/frustrated and left the ice rather slowly.

Until that point, Burns was one of Saint John's best players in the game, scoring twice (including the game-winning goal with 1:23 remaining in the third period) and adding an assist. He was the game's first star.

The 20-year-old Burns is Saint John's leading scorer and this suspension is a significant loss for the team - but there are obviously more important things to think about in a situation like this.

It's worth noting that this suspension means Burns will not be able to break Spencer Smallman's franchise record for career games played as a Sea Dog. Burns has played in 257 games and will only be able to play in a maximum of 33 more this season, putting him at 290. Smallman currently holds the record with 293 games played.