The supporters of the Canadian NHL team Ottawa have been wondering why the club did not sign an extension in the summer with center forward Shane Pinto, who played a strong season. On Thursday, the matter became more clear.
The North American professional hockey league NHL has shelved the center forward of the Ottawa Senators, who is currently without a contract Shane Pinto for as many as 41 matches for violating the betting rules.
The NHL’s investigation found no evidence that Pinto had bet on the games of his own league in the money game. The NHL considers the matter settled and will not comment on it further.
There have been precedents in the past where North American leagues have penalized players who have not even placed a bet on their own sport.
According to Sportnet for example, a Tennessee Titans lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended six games in June for placing a legal bet on his team’s premises, which is not allowed under NFL rules.
The Ottawa Senators said they heard about the results of the investigation yesterday, Wednesday.
– Shane is a valued member of our hockey club who is an intelligent young man. Because of bad decisions, the NHL has suspended him. We know he regrets his mistakes. Our club fully supports the NHL’s gambling rules and also the player we welcome back to the organization when the time is right, informs the Ottawa Senators.
In his own official statement, Shane Pinto was sorry for what he did.
– I want to apologize to the NHL, the Ottawa Senators, my teammates, fans and the city of Ottawa and above all to my family. I take full responsibility for my actions and look forward to getting back on the ice with my team, writes Pinto.
The 2019 second-round NHL reserve played all 82 games of last season’s regular season in Ottawa with an output of 20+15=35.
Supplier Elliotte Friedman says he heard Pinto’s suspension officially started with Ottawa’s first game of the season and would not be contingent on when he signed his new contract.
The Ottawa Senators have played six games so far. If Pinto’s suspension started from the opening match of the season, he would be eligible to play on January 24, 2024.