LIGHTNING PROSPECT BOOTED FROM WJC CAMP FOR 'SERIOUS VIOLATION OF SPORTS AND HUMAN VALUES'

A prospect selected in the third round of the 2019 NHL entry draft by Tampa Bay has been booted out of Slovakia's World Junior Championship camp. In a release, the team stated 19-year-old Maxim Cajkovic participated in actions that were a "gross violation of sports and human values."

"The entire implementation team unanimously decided that Maxim Cajkovic's behaviour did not correspond to the values ​​set by coaches and players, including him," said the team in a statement. "The implementation team agreed that it would not tolerate such behaviour of players. Therefore, Cajkovic is excluded from the preparation for the World Championships."

According to Slovak hockey journalist Matej Duraj of Dennik Sports, Cajkovic levelled teammates with some dirty hits.

The #GoBolts prospect delivered a few dirty hits in the preparation game on other members of the Slovak NT (the Slovaks are split into two teams, playing games against each other), according to @HockeySlovakia.— Matej Deraj (@MatoDeraj) December 4, 2020

Duraj added there is no footage of the hits as the game was not being broadcast or streamed.

"I am sorry for what happened," said Cajkovic in the statement from the team. "I realize that my behaviour was not appropriate and I bear the consequences. I respect the decision of the implementation team."



Cajkovic spent the last two seasons with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL. This season, he's been playing with the Bratislava Capitals in his home country of Slovakia.


Source: Hokejportal