Ryan Malone, who plays for the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, was arrested this morning on charges of DUI and cocaine possession, reports the Tampa Bay Times.
Here’s what you need to know.
1. He Was Busted at 3:23 a.m. With 1.3 Grams of Coke
According to the arrest report (below), Malone was busted at 3:23 a.m. Saturday on Platt Street and Rome Avenue in Tampa. See the intersection above, via Google Street View.
He was booked at 5:40 a.m.
The AP reports that cops say Malone’s breath smelled like booze when he was pulled over, and they found 1.3 grams of cocaine in his pocket.
2. He’s Having an Awful Season
The 34-year-old Malone has just 15 points in 57 games this season, and his career has been in decline.
He even “sucks at fighting now,” according some YouTube hecklers who commented on this January 7 dustup between Malone and Mark Stuart of the Winnipeg Jets:
3. He Hadn’t Suited Up for the Last 3 Games
So when the Tampa coach told Ryan Malone he was a healthy scratch he said "No I'm on the 4th line already"
— Jason Chesmore (@jchesmore) April 12, 2014
Malone was a healthy scratch for the last three games. That means he wasn’t injured but the team elected not to dress him for the game — as in, coaches had 20 guys they’d rather play ahead of him.
Huh ryan malone was a healthy scratch so he decided to celebrate witha some drunk driving and a little cocain. Intresting
— Daniel Zappio (@DanielZappio) April 12, 2014
4. He Got Fat
Sports Illustrated notes that Malone tipped that scales at 250 pounds on the arrest report, while his NHL bio lists him at a slim 224.
5. He’s Not Traveling With the Team Today
Tampa Bay Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman, seen here in a file photo, made a statement on Malone’s arrest. (Getty)
The team made a statement, via General Manager Steve Yzerman:
We are aware of the situation concerning Ryan Malone this morning. Ryan will not travel with the team to Washington today, but beyond that we cannot comment further at this time.
Tampa is set to play the Washington Capitals on Sunday.