Former NHL defenseman Nick Boynton has been suspended from his job as a radio announcer for the Arizona Coyotes in the wake of a disturbing incident that took place at a casino early Thursday morning.
Boynton, who is in Buffalo for Arizona’s game against the Sabres on Thursday night, allegedly threw a fit after he was shut off at a Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino bar because he appeared heavily intoxicated. The Buffalo News reports that Boynton yelled at female employees and called them “vulgar names.”
“When a customer sitting on a chair in one of the game pits asked him to stop yelling and swearing, Boynton went over to the customer and shoved him off the chair onto the floor,” a police source told The Buffalo News. “I didn’t think someone could get so crazy on alcohol. He was cursing and shouting that he knew how to make money and the casino didn’t.”
Buffalo police officers who work inside the casino said Boynton resisted arrest and bit — that’s right, bit — the hand of one officer who was trying to subdue him. Boynton was taken to a nearby hospital after he told officers he is diabetic. His blood alcohol level reportedly registered 0.30, which is nearly four times the legal limit.
The 36-year-old was so intoxicated that police decided to wait until Thursday afternoon for him to be arraigned in Buffalo City Court. The Coyotes issued a statement after placing Boynton on a leave of absence.
“Early this morning, Coyotes radio color analyst Nick Boynton was involved in a situation at a Buffalo casino,” the statement read. “A police investigation is underway. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and until the continuing legal process is completed, we will have no further comment. Mr. Boynton has been placed on a leave of absence.”
Boynton played 11 seasons in the NHL for several different teams, including the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. We have heard some crazy stories from other athletes who caused problems inside casinos, but Boynton’s is up there with the best of them.
