The NHL gets involved in the Matthews disorderly conduct incident

On Tuesday, it was revealed that Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Auston Matthews faces a disorderly conduct charge in relation to an incident in Scottsdale, Ariz. The young player is charged with one count of disorderly conduct and disruptive behaviour or fighting in an incident that took place this summer.

According to ABC 15 in Arizona, police say they investigated the incident that reportedly took place in May between Matthews and a female security officer at an apartment complex. According to that report, Matthews saw the guard sitting in a car and decided to jiggle the door handle. Matthews also dropped his pants and exposed his underwear to the guard, according to police. He might have also grabbed his butt once his pants were dropped…

A few days later, the guard decided to go ahead and file a report about the incident.

Matthews hasn’t been arrested in relation to the charge and none of the allegations have been proven in court. Court documents show a hearing related to the case is scheduled for Scottsdale City Court on Wednesday. Matthews does not have to appear in person.

On Wednesday morning, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly had to comment on the incident, supporting the Maple Leafs’ statement. 

“We are aware of the charge and what has been alleged. We have been in touch with the Club and intend to monitor developments as appropriate.  No further comment at this time,” he stated to Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star. 

The Maple Leafs and the NHL appear to take on the same strategy for the incident, dealing with it on a private level. Here was the team’s statement made public last night: 

“The Toronto Maple Leafs are aware of the complaint of disturbing the peace against forward Auston Matthews. Auston is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities but neither he nor the Club will comment any further out of respect for the process involved.”

Matthews is now entering the first season of a five-year contract extension he signed with the Leafs in February. The deal is worth a total of $58.17 million, with an annual salary cap hit of $11.634 million.

Many expected Matthews to become the next Leafs captain at the start of the season, however the incident is not making insiders wonder if the team will prefer to go with defenseman Morgen Rielly or veteran forward John Tavares.