Senators’ Shane Pinto suspended 41 games over sports betting violation

Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto has received a 41-game suspension for engaging in sports wagering activities, as announced by the NHL on Thursday.

While the NHL didn’t disclose the specifics of Pinto’s offense, they did confirm that there was no evidence of him betting on NHL games, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who first reported the suspension.

Ottawa Sun reporter Bruce Garricoh revealed that Pinto’s online gambling account in the United States was flagged by a company partnered with the NHL for suspicious activity.

Friedman’s report indicates that the investigation into Pinto’s actions dates back to the summer and has intensified in recent weeks, leading to a hearing conducted by the league. Friedman also mentioned in a mini-episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast that the investigation gained momentum around the time when Pinto left Ottawa, as reported by fans who spotted him skating alone, and later returned home. In retrospect, Pinto’s departure from Ottawa seemed unusual given the reports at the time suggesting that Ottawa was actively trying to trade for cap space and sign Pinto, who currently doesn’t have a contract for this season.

“Suddenly it became clear to everyone involved here that there was something the NHL was investigating and it was serious enough that I believe everyone was just told to hang on,” Friedman remarked on the 32 Thoughts Podcast.

In March 2022, the league issued a memo to league and team personnel stating that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has the authority to “discipline individuals found to have engaged in improper gambling activities,” which could result in expulsion, definite or indefinite suspension, contract cancellation, and/or fines.

The Senators released a statement on Thursday, expressing their disappointment in Pinto’s actions while acknowledging his value to the team. “Shane is a valued member of our hockey club; an engaging, intelligent young man who made poor decisions that have resulted in a suspension by the National Hockey League,” the statement read. “We know he is remorseful for his mistakes.”

Pinto, 22, had a successful season with the Senators last year, scoring 20 goals and tallying 35 points. His contract extension was delayed due to Ottawa’s limited cap space.

Pinto’s statement in the release read, “I want to apologize to the National Hockey League, the Ottawa Senators, my teammates, the fans and city of Ottawa, and most importantly, my family. I take full responsibility for my actions and look forward to getting back on the ice with my team.”

It’s worth noting that other professional leagues, like the NFL, have also disciplined players for betting on games in different leagues. For example, Tennessee Titans lineman Nicholas Petit-Fere received a six-game suspension in June for placing a legal bet at the team’s facility, which violated NFL rules.

Considering this, it’s likely that Pinto would face a much harsher penalty if he had actually bet on NHL games. And as a recent example, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 season for betting on NFL games.

The last NHL players to be suspended for gambling were Billy Taylor, Don Gallinger, and Babe Pratt in the 1940s.