Two Montreal Canadiens players, Ryan O' Byrne and Tom Kostopoulos, were arrested this morning outside a Tampa club and later released on bail, reports the AP. Montreal's players were out during the equivalent of a rookie hazing night when O'Byrne was accused of stealing a woman's purse, and Kostopoulos was detained for interfering with Tampa police after being instructed to back off.
Montreal's GM, Bob Gainey, said the team would let the legal system run its course and not further punish the pair. For O'Byrne, who faces a felony charge for the alleged theft, a conviction would cloud his future in the NHL ,as he could be prevented from traveling in the United States. Both are expected to play Tuesday. (More hockey stories.)