The National Hockey League frowns on any type of league-related gambling and has rules designed to forbid such behavior, so it's possible Chicago goaltender Marty Turco could face discipline for allegedly betting on the game with a fan last night in Montreal.
Turco, known for his pranks, his commitment to a number of charities and openness to engage with fans, admits he was having some fun with a fan last night during the Hawks' 2-1 overtime loss to the Canadiens and acknowledges there was a $5 wager. However, Turco says he gave the fan his money back after taking the original $5 and says he added a retort on the fan's original note, which can be seen
here via Montreal's Team 990 and Puck Daddy.
Turco tells The Dreger Report that allegations there may have been more money involved in the bet are completely false.
Sources say the league views the exchange with the fan as inappropriate, but recognizes the spirit of interaction, so it's unlikely Turco will receive anything more than a phone call from the NHL.
It was good, clean fun and in character of a veteran player who always makes time for fans and is considered a great ambassador for the sport.
Turco's antics were also captured on video earlier this season in a game against the St. Louis Blues when he discreetly opened a door on the Blackhawks bench while Blues defenceman Roman Polak was leaning on it - causing Polak, who laughed about the gag, to fall back into the Hawks bench.
The reason last night's incident is worth a follow up is based on the NHL's sensitivity to gambling or team personnel providing anything of value outside of the standard players' contract as outlined in the CBA.
In January, the Toronto Maple Leafs were fined an undisclosed amount (no more than $25,000) after Ron Wilson offered a monetary reward for the game winning goal prior to the Leafs game versus Wilson's old team, the San Jose Sharks.
