Ex-Coyotes forward Alex Galchenyuk pleads guilty to misdemeanor charge

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Former Arizona Coyotes forward Alex Galchenyuk pled guilty to a misdemeanor threatening charge in Scottsdale City Court on Monday and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, according a new report by The Athletic‘s Katie Strang.

Galchenyuk, 29, was arrested in Scottsdale on July 9 after a run-in with city police, during which he allegedly threatened to kill the officers on the scene and repeatedly targeted one with a racial slur. The Coyotes had signed Galchenyuk to a one-year contract on July 1 but terminated his contract in the wake of his arrest.

According to sentencing documents obtained by The Athletic, five charges against Galchenyuk were dismissed (including charges for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest).

Although Galchenyuk was sentenced to 30 days in jail, he was also credited for one day served for his time already spent in detention. His sentence will also be cut down by 27 more days upon the successful completion of an alcohol recovery program and a full year without consuming or possessing alcohol, leaving two days of jail time to be served.

Shortly after being released by the Coyotes, Galchenyuk publicly apologized to the officers and the Coyotes and entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

“I am deeply ashamed of my recent behavior and I am beyond sorry to everyone I offended and hurt,” Galchenyuk said at the time. “It was uncalled for, it was horrific and it has ruined this great new opportunity I was given by the Coyotes. I am beyond embarrassed and disappointed with myself and I feel awful for everyone I have left 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,” Galchenyuk continued. “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.”