What were some of the biggest off-ice scandals the NHL has had to face?

Question

Everyone has heard about Michael Vick's indictment on the dog fighting issue, the pending indictment of NBA referee Tim Donaghy on point shaving and the steroids problem in baseball. What were a few of the biggest off-ice scandals to hit the NHL. I am more than familiar with the stick swingings and the Bertuzzi incident, I would like to steer this in another direction.

I offer Mike Danton attempting to hire a hitman to murder his agent, David Frost, as my nomination. Has there been a bigger off ice scandal in the NHL?

Answer 1

Hi Lubers- I think the biggest may be the Alan Eagleson scamming retired players pension funds.
Another that comes to mind is Graham James ( I think that was his name), who was sexually abusing players, while this was not an NHL issue, some of his players went on to the NHL and had hard years with drugs and alcohol addiction. Sheldon Kennedy was the biggest name people know of because he went public, but it is rumored their were some other superstars sexually assaulted by him as well. I know a few of the names but I am not going to drag them through the mud because I am not 100% if they are accurate.
Also, while on that topic, Maple Leafs Gardens I believe had a big pedophile scandal, 24 boys came forward, dating back to 1969. Those are big ones to me because I think people who prey on children are the scum of the earth.
Bruce McNall, the LA Kings owner and close friend of Gretzky who went to jail for fraudulant transactions also comes to mind.

Answer 2

I think the Eagleson affair was the biggest off-ice scandal as he was so respected and influential before his fall from grace. David Frost didn't have a very good reputation even before Mike Danton attempted to have him killed. When it comes to Bruce McNall he's not the first owner of a pro sports franchise to turn out to be a flim-flam artist. The Rocket Richard riots were as much about Quebec society at the time as they were the game itself. Some jocks have gambling/booze/women/dope issues-that's to be expected.

However Eagleson organized the Summit Series and the Canada Cup and thus was awarded the Order of Canada. He was considered a great role model for kids-if you can't play in the NHL you can at least go to law school and then become an agent/hockey ambassador. When it turned out he was stealing from his own hockey star clients, that was a shock.

Tampa Bay being sold to the Yakuza is definitely an underrated scandal.

Answer 3

Great question, Lubers! May I offer the John Spanos affair?

Back in the late 1990s (around 1997, I think), the New York Islanders were on the verge of being sold to John Spanos, who made numerous promises to bring back fan support. He was extremely wealthy and was willing to sink millions into the Isles, throwing around the idea of bringing Jeremy Roenick to the team.

However, Spanos was not who he claimed to be. According to Wikipedia (and double-checked with my archieves): During their lean years, chaos within the Islanders' ownership and front office mirrored their substandard performance on the ice. Dallas businessman John Spano purchased the team in 1996, but within three months of the sale's closing in 1997, he still hadn't paid Pickett the first installment on the cable deal. Evidence surfaced that Spano had deliberately misled the NHL and the Islanders about his net worth, and an investigation by Newsday revealed that Spano also had two lawsuits pending against him. When it became clear that Spano was a fraud and that he lacked the assets to purchase the team, ownership reverted to Pickett. Federal prosecutors turned up evidence that Spano had forged many of the documents used to vouch for his wealth and to promise payment to Pickett. He was sentenced to five years eleven months in prison for bank and wire fraud. The NHL was embarrassed when reports surfaced that it had only spent $750 to check Spano's background, and subsequently stiffened the process for vetting future owners.

Of course, this incident is largely forgotten today. Nevertheless, the ordeal was extremely embarrassing and gave the league a cut below the eye (as opposed to the black eyes Bettman and company have repeatedly given the NHL over the past 15 years).

Answer 4

The Richard Riots back in the 50s. Fans set downtown Montreal ablaze after commissioner Clarence Campbell suspended Richard for hitting a referee. To be fair the ref was holding Richard's arms while a Boston Bruin wailed on his face. The fans reacted saying the ruling was biased based on the fact he was french. The Rocket had to go on radio get the fans to stop.

Yo Ride: it's allegedly.

Eagleson scandal was huge too, you're right Bob.

Answer 5

I found this article and it is quite interesting.

All the scandals that will be mentioned on this question are brought up in here, and compared to the other three sports.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/john_rolfe/03/13/nhl.violence/index.html?eref=si_writers

The Mike Danton scandal is more of an attempted criminal act....So i would say that the whole gambling dilema was more of a scandal.

Answer 6

The gambling scandal involving Rick Tocchet and Janet Gretzky. It's still be talked about today. I don't think to many people remember the Mike Danton thing. I didn't even remember his name till now.

Answer 7

The recent indictment of Rick Tocchet gambling case where he and a New Jersey State Trooper were charged and Wayne Gretzky's wife Janet was shown making bets through them.

Answer 8

Danton's a good (yet, creepy) one. Same thing with Tocchet and the gambling ring. Anybody remember Steve Chaison? He died in a car accident ages ago when he was with the Red Wings (I think it was before the Konstantinov incident). If memory serves me right, I believe the autopsy revealed that he had alcohol in his system.

Answer 9

The Washington Capitals Rape case back I believe in the early 1990's or the late 80's with 4 players and the underage girl.

Answer 10

The Rick Tocket / Janet Gretzky gambling fiasco.