Byfuglien skates on Impaired-boating charge

The Jets Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has reached a plea agreement and will not be charged with the impaired-boating charge. I think it's a win for the Byfuglien camp. The Winnipeg Jets said that they're happy to have this incident behind them because now Byfuglien can concentrate on just playing hockey.

Mike McIntyre, Winnipeg Free Press -- Dustin Byfuglien has resolved his criminal trial in much the same way he's becoming known for playing hockey -- leaving a trail of mystery, debate and controversy in his wake.

The talented but sometimes frustrating Winnipeg Jets defenceman walked into a downtown Minneapolis courthouse Monday morning expecting to begin a week-long jury trial. But he skated out of danger less than an hour later, courtesy of a last-minute plea bargain that leaves many questions unanswered, including what prompted authorities to believe he was boating while impaired last summer.

Byfuglien pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour charge of careless boating, which pertains only to the fact he didn't have proper lighting on his boat when stopped by police last summer. He was given a $1,000 fine and 30-day jail sentence, of which 28 days were suspended and two days converted to community service work. In exchange, prosecutors dropped more serious charges of impaired boating and refusing a blood or urine test.

The suspended time would only be revisited if Byfuglien re-offends during that period.

Some Jets not down on Winnipeg?

Image via WikipediaThis is a story that caught me eye this morning, before the 2011-2012 NHL season has even started; there are rumors of some on the Winnipeg Jets hockey team that are not happy about being in the city of Winnipeg, MB, this is according to sports radio talk show host Bob McCown of the Fan 590 out of Toronto, Ontario… McCown goes on to say that there might be as many as three Winnipeg Jets players that don’t want to play in Winnipeg. I suppose you can look at any roster in the NHL and probably have 2-5 players that are unhappy about being on their team but why bring this up now before the season has even begun.

Winnipeg Free Press --- (Bob) McCown believes players will look past the sold -out building and gold-plate ownership while coming to the conclusion that this isn't a good place to earn a seven-figure living.

"Guys are not going to want to play there," said McCown.

"I have first-hand knowledge of no less than three members of the Atlanta Thrashers, no fewer than three, who are now Winnipeg Jets, who are actively pursuing alternatives. Not the least of the problems, there's no place to live, in the style that an NHL player has become accustomed to. Are there upscale homes? I'm sure there are. But they're not available and they're not for rent."

Ladd's response to this talk was succinct.

"I haven't heard that, but if there are guys that don't want to be in Winnipeg then we don't want them anyway," said Ladd. "We want people that want to be part of a good hockey organization that's going to create a winning culture. From everyone I've talked to -- I haven't heard any of that."

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