OHL Erie Otters forward Michael Liambas suspended for rest of season for hit on Ben Fanelli

Erie Otters left winger Michael Liambas has been suspended for the rest of the 2009-10 Ontario League season, including playoffs, for his hit on Kitchener Rangers defenseman Ben Fanelli Oct. 30.

At the time, Liambas was assessed a match penalty for boarding and Fanelli suffered a severe head injury. Fanelli is still in hospital, but his condition was recently upgraded to serious, but stable.

The suspension effectively ends the junior hockey career of Liambas, who will turn 21 in February. In four seasons with Erie, he accumulated 13 points and 357 penalty minutes in 124 games.

“Players must understand they shall be held accountable for their actions,” OHL commissioner David Branch said in a statement. “We must all work towards improving the level of respect players have towards opposing players and the game in general.”