Former NHL Player Matthew Barnaby sentenced to community service and counselling –NHL News Update
Former National Hockey League (NHL) player, Matthew Barnaby, currently a hockey analyst for the Entertainment Sports Programming Network (ESPN), was sentenced to complete 500 hours of community service within a year to have all charges dropped against him,
including taking part in anger management counselling.
"We're very happy with that result", Barnaby's attorney, Frank LoTempio, told The Associated Press by phone after the verdict had been announced. "We feel it's very fair and warranted".
The Ottawa, Ontario, Canadian native, was accused of committing a felony, criminal mischief, criminal contempt, trespass, harassment and aggravated harassment after he tried to kick down his ex-wife’s garage door, causing $300 in estimated damages.
The incident took place on May 13, 2011, at his former home in Getzville, New York, USA, as his former wife and her current boyfriend were in the residence.
There was no report of physical abuse between any of the three, which in the end concluded to reaching an agreement.
Drafted 83rd overall in round-four of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by Buffalo Sabres, Matthew Barnaby played over 14 seasons in the major league with teams like Buffalo, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks,
Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars.
The 38-year-old former right winger boasts a record of 834 NHL games played, along with 300 total points, 113 goals and 187 assists).
His best season was his second with New York when he registered 36 points, 14 goals and 22 assists, in 79 games played.
Barnaby retired in 2007 due to concussion related problems.
Had the incident led to more serious offenses, Barnaby could have faced being deported back to Canada, because of his Canadian nationality.
Barnaby pleaded not guilty to all five charges against him in front of the Honourable Buffalo State, Supreme Court Justice Deborah Haendiges.
In her verdict, Justice Haendiges ordered Barnaby a one-year restraining order for his ex-wife and not to maintain any contact with her current boyfriend, along with the original verdict.
Relieved by the sentence, Barnaby has vowed to comply with court orders, which he will have to prove on August 8, 2011, when he returns to court for a compliance hearing.
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