Adam Ruzicka has been released from his contract by the Arizona Coyotes after being granted unconditional waivers on Saturday.
The Coyotes placed him on waivers Friday after Ruzicka posted a video on social media of him leaving a white powder believed to be cocaine and a credit card on the counter. The team announced only that Ruzicka was placed on waivers for termination and had no further comment.
The NHL Players Association has 60 days to file a complaint on Ruzicka’s behalf.
Ruzicka was in the second season of a two-year contract worth $1.525 million. He has only been with the team for about a month since the Coyotes claimed him off waivers from the Calgary Flames on Jan. 25.
The 24-year-old from Slovakia scored nine points in 39 games against Calgary, but was scoreless in three games against Arizona. Since he debuted in April 2021, he has played in 117 games in the NHL.
Ruzicka becomes the second player in the league to have his contract terminated this season. Corey Perry with Chicago Blackhawks After they said veteran winger Violated team workplace policies.The union demanded it, and it happened. extension was granted Closed the window for Perry to file complaints; he is playing again Same with Edmonton.
There is precedent for the NHL punishing players for off-ice behavior like Ruzicka’s.Evgeny Kuznetsov of Washington He was suspended for 3 games. He was charged with “inappropriate conduct” less than a month after receiving a four-year ban from playing for Russia in 2019 after testing positive for cocaine.
Kuznetsov faced drug use allegations at that year’s World Championships after a video of Kuznetsov near a table lined with white powder and US dollar bills was posted on social media.
Early this month, Kuznetsov joins NHL/NHLPA player support programa joint venture between the league and the association aimed at helping players with a variety of off-ice issues.
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