Why was Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto suspended?
SHANE Pinto's future in Ottawa has been in question for weeks as he remained unsigned going into the 2023-24 season.
His future in the league itself was then brought into question after it was reported that he had been suspended for 41 games.
Who is Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto?
Shane Pinto is a professional hockey player from Franklin Square, New York.
Born on November 12, 2000, Pinto was drafted by the Senators in the second round of the 2019 draft, later making his debut in the 2020-21 season.
His first full season came the following year, during which time, he scored 20 goals and 15 assists.
Prior to joining the big leagues, Pinto played for the University of North Dakota, where he dominated in the faceoff circle with a 61.1 win percentage, according to his biography.
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At this time, additional details on Pinto's personal life are unclear because he often stays out of the spotlight.
Why was Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto suspended?
Pinto entered the 2023-24 season as a restricted free agent because his three-year deal with the Senators expired.
Contract negotiations with the team were later paused due to an investigation, which ended in a 41-game suspension.
Specifics on what Pinto did have not been publicly released, but in a statement, the NHL referred to the infraction as "activities relating to sports wagering."
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However, the investigation "found no evidence that Pinto made any wagers on NHL games."
In a separate statement that was released by the Senators, the team said they were "saddened to learn of this issue" but the "organization remains committed to Shane."
"We were made aware of the National Hockey League investigation into this matter and additional information was made available to the club upon the completion of the league's investigation yesterday," the team said.
"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. We know he is remorseful for his mistakes.
"The Ottawa Senators fully support the NHL's rules on gambling. While saddened to learn of this issue, the entire organization remains committed to Shane and will work together to do what is necessary to help provide the support to allow him to address his issues and become a strong contributor to our community."
The Senators went on to say that the organization will "welcome him back" when the time is right.
Pinto also released a statement, saying: "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."
Pinto's suspension began with the team's first game of the 2023-24 season, according to SportNet.
Responsible gambling
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat