The former Ottawa Senator was arrested for a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the Arizona Coyotes terminating his contract.
Alex Galchenyuk posted a letter to the Arizona Coyotes and their fans Tuesday, apologizing for his "deeply disrespectful and despicable behavior," and announcing he's checked himself into the NHL and NHLPA's player assistance program.
Galchenyuk was arrested July 9th for a hit and run incident. But then he allegedly compounded an already bad situation with behaviour and statements to police that even he refers to as, "deeply offensive, horrendous, and disrespectful."
Galchenyuk's alleged outburst, language and behaviour almost certainly had more to do with the Arizona Coyotes terminating his contract than the actual incident and arrest itself. He had just signed on with Arizona on July 1st for his third tour of duty with the club.
According to police, Galchenyuk crashed his car into a sign, then made violent threats and used racial slurs toward an arresting officer. He admits his behaviour came after drinking alcohol. The police report indicates Galchenyuk said, "One phone call and you're all dead – your whole family. Your blood line is dead."
Galchenyuk is expected to enter the player assistance program this week.
"I am beyond embarrassed and disappointed with myself and I feel awful for everyone I have let down," Galchenyuk said in his letter. "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."
After finding success with the Montreal Canadiens, Galchenyuk was traded to Arizona in 2018 and had one pretty decent season there. Ever since, he's been an NHL journeyman. In 2020-21, the Senators took a look at him on a one-year, one-way deal but he was frequently a healthy scratch, playing just 8 games for the club. He was eventually traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in a package deal for Ryan Dzingel.