Senators centre Shane Pinto suspended for 41 games by NHL
Ottawa Senators free agent centre Shane Pinto has been suspended by the NHL for 41 games for "activities relating to sports wagering," the NHL has announced.
Pinto, who missed the first six games of the NHL season as he continued contract talks with the Senators, is the first modern-day NHL player suspended for sports wagering.
"I want to apologize to the National Hockey League, the Ottawa Senators, my teammates, the fans and city of Ottawa and most importantly my family," Pinto said in a statement released by the Senators.
"I take full responsibility for my actions and look forward to getting back on the ice with my team."
The National Hockey League released few details about its investigation and the suspension for Pinto on Thursday afternoon, only saying it was “for activities relating to sports wagering.”
"The league’s investigation found no evidence that Pinto made any wagers on NHL games. The NHL considers this matter closed."
The NHL said it will have no further comment on the suspension. The collective bargaining agreement for the NHL/NHLPA states, "gambling on any NHL game is prohibited."
In a statement, the Ottawa Senators said it was "saddened to learn" of the issue, but remains committed to Pinto.
"We were made aware of the National Hockey League investigation into this matter and additional information was made available to the club upon the completion of the league’s investigation yesterday,” the Senators said.
"Shane is a valued member of our hockey club; an engaging, intelligent young man who made poor decisions that have resulted in a suspension by the National Hockey League. We know he is remorseful for his mistakes."
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Pinto, a restricted free agent, missed the Senators first six games of the season while continuing contract negotiations with the club. The 22-year-old centre scored 20 goals and added 35 points last season.
Postmedia hockey columnist Bruce Garrioch reported the Senators rescinded all previous contract offers to Pinto.
Senators head coach DJ Smith told reporters on Thursday in New York that the organization is behind Pinto "100 per cent."
"We'll be here for him, we'll offer him any support that he needs, and we'll welcome him back with absolute open arms," Smith said. "I know the staff loves him, I know the players love him -- the city, the organization. We'll do everything we can."
The NHL, a number of its franchises, and several star players -- including Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews -- have high-profile sponsorship deals with gambling websites.
The Senators became the first NHL team to add a gambling-related entity as a helmet sponsor with Bet99 in 2021. Their home helmets feature the logo for Betway, an international gambling company.
The last NHL players suspended for gambling before Pinto were Billy Taylor, Don Gallinger and Babe Pratt back in the 1940s.
With files from The Canadian Press
LISTEN LIVE TO TSN 1200: Voice of Ottawa sports
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
WATCH LIVE Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
NDP house leader says House dysfunction will be a factor in future confidence votes
NDP House leader Peter Julian says there's more his party wants to do in Parliament before the next election, but if the current dysfunction continues it will become a factor in how they vote on a confidence measure.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
BREAKING Jury begins deliberations in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
The jury tasked with determining if Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard sexually assaulted a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago began deliberating Friday after nearly two weeks of testimony that saw the singer and his accuser give starkly different accounts of what happened.
BREAKING Here's what the jury didn't hear in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
Airlines' challenge of Canada's passenger protection rules rejected by Supreme Court
Canada's airlines have failed in their challenge of air passenger protection rules that the federal government implemented in 2019.