Rocket:
Let’s just take a deep breath. The initial reports are sensational…intentionally so. The comments by the gossiping grannies on L’Antichambre were over the top. Nothing that we have seen so far suggests that the named players have been involved in any illegal activity.
It is reported that the players are acquaintances of Mr. Mangiola but they have not been directly linked publicly to the offences for which he has been arrested. It is reported that Andrei Kostitsyn was questioned by police after the Pens game.
At this point, nothing is known with certainty. It would be unfair and unethical to make any judgements or implications.
As Habs fans, let’s resist overreacting until the full story is revealed.
Embarrassment
Friday, 20 February 2009
translated version from RDS.ca
La Presse newspaper today published a dossier on embarrassing brothers Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn who have links with a suspected member of organized crime who was arrested under the police Operation Axis.
This alleged criminal Pasquale Mangiola, 38, was arrested on charges of drug trafficking and he served as an intermediary between various criminal groups.
During the police investigation that led to Operation Axis, the police recorded several telephone conversations Mangiola without his knowledge. Several of these conversations have taken place with the Kostitsyn brothers.
Canadiens players have returned to Pittsburgh around midnight and no arrests have been made.
According to La Presse, Mangiola is a great friend of the brothers Kostitsyn.
A man of 38 years would make a number of services to both Canadiens players on their outings in the bars, girls and luxury cars.
Defenseman Roman Hamrlik also has links with Mangiola, according to the newspaper of the rue St-Jacques. Hamrlik was seen in the company of Mangiola, Kostitsyn and bars in Montreal.
La Presse questioned Andrei Kostitsyn on his relationship with Mangiola after the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The eldest of the brothers Kostitsyn confirmed Mangiola he knew, but he knew nothing about him.
Don Meehan acted as agents for the two Kostitsyn brothers and he said he did not know this individual.
Furthermore, Meehan and direction of Canadiens held to clarify that the return of Sergei Kostitsyn to Hamilton was merely due to hockey.
from L’Antichambre (translated):
Jacques Demers: “Honestly, there are things I know, and what looks like what’s going to come out [in the papers] tomorrow, I swear to you, I thought about Mr. Beliveau tonight … and I just hope I’m dreaming. I’m a proud Canadien, the Canadiens are my life, and I hope I’m dreaming but I don’t think I am.”
Michel Bergeron: “I feel the same way. It’s unbelievable. Tomorrow, hockey will be second. I don’t like at all what I’ve heard today.”
Bob Hartley: “If everything we’ve been told is true, I’ve never seen that in my life. If it’s true, I’m going back to Atlanta [joking]”
Michel Bergeron: “The Canadiens are my roots, and my idols, like you guys…and it looks like the foundation is going to be shaken. Not just for the Quebecois but for anyone who wears the Canadiens sweater around the country. To me, what’s happened, it’s unacceptable”.
Alain Crete: “We can’t go into many details but something has happened that will implicate not just one Canadiens player but many. You’ll be hearing more tomorrow.”