Police investigation closed, Oshawa Generals forward back in lineup after eight-game suspension

Overage forward Connor Lockhart is back with the Oshawa Generals after Durham Regional Police closed its investigation into the player’s conduct.

Lockhart, who was in the lineup Saturday in the 2-1 shootout win over Erie and scored one of the two Oshawa shootout goals, sat out eight games during the investigation, a penalty deemed “appropriate” by the league.

Lockhart’s last game prior to Saturday was January 28 against Ottawa and he was a healthy scratch for three games before the team and the Ontario Hockey League announced he had been suspended for “violating OHL rules and the league’s Code of Conduct.”

Durham Police announced at the same time that the player was the subject of an investigation.

No details as to the nature of Lockhart’s conduct violation have been released by police, the league or the hockey club.

“The OHL understands that the Durham Regional Police Service has closed this matter,” the league said in a news release. “The league has determined that a suspension of eight games, which has been served dating back to the regular season game of February 1, is appropriate.”

In a tweet, Lockhart said he was happy to put the past couple of weeks behind him and be back on the ice.

“I would like to thank my family, billet family and loved ones. I am excited to get back to doing what I love, playing hockey.”

Lockhart, who plays on the top line with Calum Ritchie and team captain Stuart Rolofs, has 20 goals and 39 points in 31 games with the club since he was acquired from Peterborough in November.

Lockhart was part of Peterborough’s OHL championship side that finished third at the 2023 Memorial Cup.

The Oshawa Generals are back on the ice Monday for their annual Family Day matinee. The club will take on Niagara, which beat the Generals in overtime last Friday.

Puck drop is 2:05 p.m.