Alex Galchenyuk issued a statement on Tuesday to apologize for his actions following his July 9 arrest, as well as announce he is officially entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. The program assists players and their families dealing with mental health issues, substance abuse issues and more.
Galchenyuk, 29, addressed the statement to Arizona Coyotes leadership, his teammates and his fans, and was posted on his social media accounts: “My behavior last week was deeply offensive, uncalled for, horrendous, embarrassing, disrespectful and just plain awful. I let you all down and I am truly sorry. While this behavior after drinking alcohol is not representative of who I am, I do have to take responsibility for it. My actions have cost me my chance to do what I love, play professional hockey … I am beyond embarrassed and disappointed with myself and I feel awful for everyone I have let down. My family was counting on me to be better, the Coyotes and the amazing Coyotes fans deserve better and the brave police officers who risk their lives to keep us safe deserve better. I let them all down with my despicable and disrespectful behavior after drinking alcohol. Today, I am checking myself into the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. I am doing this to get the help I need and hope to never make a mistake like this again … Again, I am sorry I let you down, and I hope over time and with hard work, I can show all of you that I am a better person than this horrendous moment.”
The statement was the first time that Galchenyuk has made any public comments following the arrest and allegations against him, which include hit-and-run and disorderly conduct. According to a Scottsdale police report obtained by The Athletic, Galchenyuk allegedly threatened to kill a police officer and the officer’s family and also repeatedly directed a racial slur toward the officer as he was arrested. Per the report, Galchenyuk said: “I’m gonna chop you and your daughter. Let me go, or I will make one phone call. You’ll never see your family, how scary is that? One phone call, and you’re all dead. Your whole family, your bloodline is dead.”
Following his arrest, the Coyotes terminated the one-year contract he’d signed on July 1. Galchenyuk, the No. 3 pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, has played 11 seasons, including two for Arizona.
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