Blackhawks defenseman Chris Chelios could face a $50,000 fine, suspension or even expulsion from the league if NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman or his advisory committee reacts angrily to threats Chelios made Wednesday that received national telecast exposure.
Chelios said:
“If I was Gary Bettman, I’d be worried about my family, about my well-being right now. Some crazed fan, or even a player-who knows?-might take it into his own hands and figure that if they get him out of the way, this (labor standoff) might get settled. You’d hate to see something like that happen, but he took the job.”
For acts that are “dishonorable, prejudicial to or against the welfare of the league or the game of hockey,” NHL Bylaw 17 grants Bettman or his advisory committee the power to “expel or suspend such person,” fine the person up to $500 or combine a fine and a suspension.
Since the bylaw was written, however, the NHL has expanded that fine to $50,000.
There was no indication Thursday whether Bettman intended to discipline Chelios.
“In times like this, people say things they don’t mean,” NHL spokesman Arthur Pincus said Thursday. “But that is an irresponsible comment.”
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Steve McAllister, the NHL Players Association’s media relations manager, said: “We did get a few phone calls from fans. Chris just showed everybody’s frustration. But he apologized.”
Chelios also apologized to Hawks owner William Wirtz.