Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto has been suspended for 41 games for violating the NHL’s policy against sports betting.
The 22-year-old hockey player thus became the first player in the modern era to be suspended for betting on sporting events.
“The League’s investigation found no indication that Pinto had bet on NHL games,” the league said in a spectacularly terse statement. The NHL considers this matter closed, if there is no new information, and will not issue any comments. »
“I would like to apologize to the National Hockey League, the Ottawa Senators, my teammates, the fans and the city of Ottawa and, above all, my family,” Pinto said in a statement. I take full responsibility for my actions and look forward to getting back on the ice with my team. »
According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the suspension began on Day 1 of the Senators’ season, even though Pinto still has not signed a contract for the current season. According to Bruce Garrioch of theOttawa Sunthe Players Association was aware of the matter and negotiated the suspension on Pinto’s behalf.
“We have been made aware of the NHL’s investigation into this matter and additional information was provided to the club following the conclusion of the league’s investigation yesterday,” the Senators explained. Shane is a valued member of our club, an engaging and intelligent young man who made some poor decisions that resulted in him being suspended from the league. We know he regrets his mistakes.
“The Ottawa Senators fully support the NHL’s rules of play. While we were saddened to learn of this matter, the entire organization remains committed to Shane and will work with him to do what is necessary to provide him with the support that will allow him to resolve his problems and become a strong contributor to our community.
“When the time is right and with the blessing of the league, we will welcome him back into the organization and consider him one of our own.” »
In New York, where the Senators are preparing for Thursday night’s game against the Islanders, head coach DJ Smith confirmed the team will give the young player all the support he needs.
A complex file
The Pinto case also becomes the first domino in a file that could become thorny for the NHL, necessarily stuck between the search for new income linked to sports betting and the need for its players to stay away from such a practice. To underline the complexity of the issue, let us recall that in 2021 the Senators were the first NHL team to affix the logo of a sports betting provider to its helmets.
Pinto is a restricted free agent and has yet to play a game in 2023-24 due to a contract dispute with the Senators.
Sports betting is only mentioned once in the collective bargaining agreement ratified by the NHL and the Players Association — “sports betting on NHL games is prohibited.”
The document also states that commissioner Gary Bettman is the only one who can punish a player for his behavior off the ice.
Pinto, a second-round pick of the Senators in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, has 20 goals and 15 assists in his first full NHL season in 2022-23.
The American from Franklin Square, New York, has 21 goals and 22 assists in 99 NHL games with the Ottawa team. Pinto missed most of the 2021-22 season with a shoulder injury.
The NHL, several of its teams, and some of its star players — including Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews — have entered into sponsorship agreements with certain sports betting sites. Legendary NHL player Wayne Gretzky has also appeared in some commercials promoting sports betting.
Pinto is considered one of the Senators’ top prospects at center. The Ontario club is 3-3-0 so far this season.
The NFL has suspended a few players in recent years for similar behavior.
Calvin Ridley, a wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was suspended for a full NFL season after betting on games while inactive near the end of the 2021 campaign.