Bulldogs' Perezhogin likely to play in Russia
Jun 9, 2004 22:19:45 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jun 9, 2004 22:19:45 GMT -5
Suspended AHL player's actions still under investigation
By Garry McKay
The Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton Bulldogs' Alexander Perezhogin may not miss a single game next season despite his year-long suspension from the American Hockey League.
Although neither the Montreal Canadiens or Perezhogin's agent Don Meehan want to talk about the details, a deal appears to be in the works that would allow the Hamilton Bulldogs winger to play for a team in the Russian first division, likely Omsk.
Perezhogin, was given the suspension last month, the longest in AHL history for a two-handed swing with his stick that struck Garrett Stafford of the Cleveland Barons in the face.
Stafford was given a six-game suspension by the AHL for swinging his stick first and landing a glancing blow on Perezhogin's helmet.
The incident is still under investigation by the Hamilton police department which hasn't decided whether to lay charges or not.
Although the suspension, which wasn't appealed by the Canadiens and the Bulldogs, means Perezhogin can't play in the AHL next year, it doesn't rule out his playing altogether.
"There are really two options, one being in Montreal and the second being in Russia," said Meehan.
The National Hockey League doesn't automatically honour other league's suspensions and deals with each one on a case-by-case basis.
Meehan said he has had discussions with Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey who indicated they would be willing to appeal Perezhogin's suspension to the NHL.
The problem with that option, however, is the likelihood of a work stoppage in the NHL beginning in September.
If the NHL reduced Perezhogin's suspension to 20 games for example, but the work stoppage lasted until January, he would still miss three-quarters of the season.
Andre Savard, the Canadiens assistant general manager who oversees the Bulldogs, said Montreal could assign Perezhogin to a Russian team and that would make him eligible to return to the Habs if they recalled him. The NHL would still have to rule on his suspension, however, before any recall.
There's almost no chance that the Russian Ice Hockey Federation would honour Perezhogin's AHL suspension.
"The one thing I know about Russia, from having visited there so often, is that the only thing certain is that there are no rules," said Meehan.
"It's a good question but I don't know that there are any set rules and that's something that the Canadiens will have to look into with the Russian federation and the IIHF."
Perezhogin, who was the Habs' second pick in the first round of the 2001 NHL entry draft, has returned to Russia and likely won't be back until the Canadiens training camp in September although Meehan said he would return sooner if asked to do so by the Hamilton police.
Sergeant Carol Pacey of the Hamilton police department, said the investigating officers are still waiting for two pieces of evidence although she declined to say what they were.
She said they hope to have it wrapped up quickly and will then make a decision, in conjunction with the crown attorney, on whether to charge Perezhogin.
By Garry McKay
The Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton Bulldogs' Alexander Perezhogin may not miss a single game next season despite his year-long suspension from the American Hockey League.
Although neither the Montreal Canadiens or Perezhogin's agent Don Meehan want to talk about the details, a deal appears to be in the works that would allow the Hamilton Bulldogs winger to play for a team in the Russian first division, likely Omsk.
Perezhogin, was given the suspension last month, the longest in AHL history for a two-handed swing with his stick that struck Garrett Stafford of the Cleveland Barons in the face.
Stafford was given a six-game suspension by the AHL for swinging his stick first and landing a glancing blow on Perezhogin's helmet.
The incident is still under investigation by the Hamilton police department which hasn't decided whether to lay charges or not.
Although the suspension, which wasn't appealed by the Canadiens and the Bulldogs, means Perezhogin can't play in the AHL next year, it doesn't rule out his playing altogether.
"There are really two options, one being in Montreal and the second being in Russia," said Meehan.
The National Hockey League doesn't automatically honour other league's suspensions and deals with each one on a case-by-case basis.
Meehan said he has had discussions with Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey who indicated they would be willing to appeal Perezhogin's suspension to the NHL.
The problem with that option, however, is the likelihood of a work stoppage in the NHL beginning in September.
If the NHL reduced Perezhogin's suspension to 20 games for example, but the work stoppage lasted until January, he would still miss three-quarters of the season.
Andre Savard, the Canadiens assistant general manager who oversees the Bulldogs, said Montreal could assign Perezhogin to a Russian team and that would make him eligible to return to the Habs if they recalled him. The NHL would still have to rule on his suspension, however, before any recall.
There's almost no chance that the Russian Ice Hockey Federation would honour Perezhogin's AHL suspension.
"The one thing I know about Russia, from having visited there so often, is that the only thing certain is that there are no rules," said Meehan.
"It's a good question but I don't know that there are any set rules and that's something that the Canadiens will have to look into with the Russian federation and the IIHF."
Perezhogin, who was the Habs' second pick in the first round of the 2001 NHL entry draft, has returned to Russia and likely won't be back until the Canadiens training camp in September although Meehan said he would return sooner if asked to do so by the Hamilton police.
Sergeant Carol Pacey of the Hamilton police department, said the investigating officers are still waiting for two pieces of evidence although she declined to say what they were.
She said they hope to have it wrapped up quickly and will then make a decision, in conjunction with the crown attorney, on whether to charge Perezhogin.