Shane Pinto comes clean about the incident leading to his 41-game suspension
Photo credit: Paul Vernon/The Associated Press
A year after his controversial NHL suspension, Shane Pinto has revealed the details that resulted in his 41-game ban.
Last season proved tumultuous for the Ottawa Senators, with the most notable controversy surrounding the suspension of young center Shane Pinto, sidelining him for the first half of the year. This suspension sparked widespread discussion across hockey media, especially considering the NHL's increasing promotion of sportsbooks, adding a layer of irony to the league's decision.
Shane Pinto himself did not dispute the suspension. Instead, he has now disclosed the details behind the incident and his decision not to contest the NHL's penalty.
"I had my buddies - because I was in Canada - just place bets for me in America," he explained during a recent appearance on the "Empty Netters" podcast. "I wasn't a Canadian citizen so I couldn't really use a Canadian sportsbook. ... That's proxy betting, so that's obviously a big no-no. It was an illegal act so, obviously, it was a pretty big deal.
"So that's why we didn't want to fight (the suspension) and we just kinda accepted it."
"So that's why we didn't want to fight (the suspension) and we just kinda accepted it."
There were numerous reports detailing the incident, and while speculation circulated, it wasn't until now that Pinto himself acknowledged the events that led to his suspension. It seems he was unaware of the legal implications at the time. However, following the suspension, he has learned from the experience and is unlikely to engage in such activities again.
Upon his return, Pinto played 41 games, scoring 9 goals and totaling 27 points, showcasing his promising future in the NHL. With the betting scandal behind him, there are high expectations for the 23-year-old in Ottawa.
| POLL | ||
17 JUILLET | 184 ANSWERS Shane Pinto comes clean about the incident leading to his 41-game suspension Was Shane Pinto's 41-Game NHL Suspension Justified Due to Sports Betting? | ||
| Yes | 122 | 66.3 % |
| No | 62 | 33.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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