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In for counseling Stars hold off suspending Belfour after arrest
Posted: Wednesday March 08, 2000 06:30 PM
DALLAS (AP) -- Dallas Stars goaltender Ed Belfour will meet with counselors before the team decides whether it will suspend him for a scuffle early Wednesday with a hotel security guard. "I'm sorry about the incident and regret any embarrassment to my family, the Dallas Stars organization, my teammates, friends and fans," Belfour said in a written statement. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner will not return to the team until after a report from mental and substance abuse counselors provided by the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Player's Association, Stars general manager Bob Gainey said at a news conference. "Once we have the results from the meeting, then we'll take it from there and see when he's capable mentally, physically to come back in and fill his slots as a player on our roster," Gainey said. Belfour, 34, was not at the news conference and was to meet with the counselors Wednesday night. He already was scheduled to have the night off as the Stars played Vancouver at home. The team has activated Marty Turco, who has been playing with the Stars' top minor league affiliate in Michigan. Belfour was charged with assault and resisting arrest after the scuffle at an upscale hotel shortly after 1 a.m. He was released after posting $500 bond, said Ed Spencer, a spokesman for the Dallas County Sheriff's Office. Police said Belfour, a hero of the Stars' Stanley Cup championship last season, arrived at the hotel shortly after midnight. Witnesses said he appeared intoxicated, and hotel security personnel escorted him to his room. A short time later, a woman accompanying Belfour told hotel security she was afraid of him and wanted to leave, police said. Security personnel accompanied her downstairs and she left in a cab. Shortly after the woman left, Belfour also tried to leave his hotel room. When a guard tried to subdue him, Belfour grabbed the man by the lapels and slammed him against a wall, police said. Belfour had the guard in a headlock when officers arrived and released him only after he was sprayed with Mace, police said. Known as "Eddie the Eagle," Belfour has averaged 2.08 goals-allowed per game in 53 games. He got his 300th career victory last month as Dallas defeated the Washington Capitals 2-1.
"We are concerned for Eddie and for everyone involved," said Stars owner Tom Hicks. "I know our team leadership will make the correct judgments about any consequences which may be necessary to impose on our player."
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