The NHL is reportedly investigating the Arizona Coyotes organization for alleged recruiting violations regarding how the club may handle its pre-draft scouting process.
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the investgation concerns the Coyotes allegedly putting draft-eligible Canadian Junior League prospects through fitness testing well ahead of the 2020 NHL draft. Dreger initially tweeted out his report of the investigation’s existence Thursday before expanding on it in TSN’s “Insider Trading” segment.
Dreger said the three leagues that make up the CHL — the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League — have sent emails to their respective teams asking them to report any contact between them and the Coyotes organization. While he cited only unnamed sources, Dreger said that multiple CHL teams have alleged contact with Arizona regarding physically testing of their players.
Arizona Coyotes:
“We are aware of the reports. We have discussed the matter with the NHL and we will have no further comment at this time.” https://t.co/fMdlErMKn6
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 31, 2020
The NHL holds its own combine prior to each year’s draft in which eligible prospects work out and have opportunities to interview with interested teams in efforts to distinguish themselves from the pack. According to Dreger, the league very clearly states that teams may not conduct any sort of physical tests before the combine.
If the league determines the Coyotes are guilty of this violation — and Dreger reminded that the investigation remains ongoing — the franchise could face fines of $250,000 or more per incident.
Source
Author: Sporting News
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