New Arizona Coyotes forward Alex Galchenyuk was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona on July 9 on multiple charges, Athleticismreported Katie Strang on Thursday.
According to Strang, Galchenyuk was convicted of « hit and run on private property, disorderly conduct, refusal to obey, resisting arrest, [and] threatening or intimidating”.
The 29-year-old forward spent Sunday night in a Scottsdale jail before being arrested and released the following day. A pre-trial for Galchenyuk is scheduled for August 11.
Coyotes put Galchenyuk on unconditional contract termination waivers on Thursday, just 12 days after they signed him to a two-way, one-year contract as an unrestricted free agent. The team made no further comment.
Galchenyuk’s contract with the Coyotes carries an NHL cap of $775,000 and an AHL salary of $225,000, with a guaranteed minimum earnings of $325,000 — although, in the event of a contract termination , the Coyotes could probably withdraw from all financial commitments to the player.
Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports reported On Thursday, the NHL Players’ Association is « reviewing » the Coyotes’ decision to terminate Galchenyuk’s contract.
If Galchenyuk clears the waivers on Friday, he will become an unrestricted free agent again and can sign a new contract with any team. The Madison, Wisconsin product previously played with the Coyotes in the 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons.
The Montreal Canadiens originally selected Galchenyuk in the first round (3rd overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft. The six-foot-one forward, who shoots on the left, made his NHL debut with the Canadiens in the 2012-13 season and scored 30 goals with the team in 2015-16.
In 654 career NHL games with the Canadiens, Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche, Galchenyuk had 146 goals and 354 points.
