Rating:

Not Rated

Archive Warning:

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Category:

M/M

Fandom:

Heated Rivalry (TV)

Relationship:

Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov

Additional Tags:

News Media, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Social Media, Established Relationship, POV Outsider, Unconventional Format, Epistolary

Language:

English

Stats:

Published: 2026-01-16 Updated: 2026-02-19 Words: 61,281 Chapters: 9/?

Halt and Catch Fire

Summary

In March 2019, gambling syndicates dump data from 7,500 hacked athletes online - the biggest breach in sports history. Shane and Ilya's years of private texts are buried somewhere in three million leaked files. A story about privacy, professional hockey, and what happens when the internet finds what you thought was hidden.

-----

(HCF):
An early computer command that sent the machine into a race condition, forcing all instructions to compete for superiority at once.
Control of the computer could not be regained.

Notes

Set in 2019 after sports betting legalization; concept is drawn from numerous real events around security, addiction, data, and sports culture.

Chapter 1: Wired: The Biggest Sports Hack in History Just Leaked 7,500 Athletes' Private Lives By Sarah Chen

Chapter Notes

The Biggest Sports Hack in History Just Leaked 7,500 Athletes' Private Lives

Gambling syndicates spent months inside the phones of nearly 3,000 college athletes and 4,500 pros. Wednesday morning at 3:47 AM, everything went public. Now it's spreading everywhere and nobody knows how to stop it.

By Sarah Chen
03.12.2019 09:30 AM

MARCUS THOMPSON WAS monitoring dark web marketplaces Tuesday morning when the listing appeared at 11:23 AM Eastern. A vendor with almost no transaction history was selling what they claimed was "comprehensive sports data" from thousands of athletes and coaches—text messages going back years, photos, financial records, medical information. The asking price: $3 million in cryptocurrency.

By 3:47 AM Wednesday morning, the vendor had vanished and the data wasn't for sale anymore. It was everywhere.

Thompson, a cybersecurity consultant who's spent the past decade warning sports leagues that exactly this would happen, started pulling up files from the dump. The first one was an 18-year-old college freshman, a basketball player, texting his mom about being homesick. Then he opened the next file, and the next. Hundreds of them. Thousands. Professional athletes, college kids, coaches, trainers.

"These were real people," Thompson says now, 48 hours later and running on maybe three hours of sleep total. "And their entire lives just went public."

The breach has exposed the intimate digital lives of approximately 7,500 people connected to professional and college sports. WIRED has confirmed the authenticity of multiple files in the dump through metadata analysis and verification with sources familiar with several of the individuals affected. The breakdown, according to data visible in the dump itself:

Professional sports (approximately 4,500 people):

• 1,840 NFL players, coaches, and staff across all 32 teams
• 890 NBA players, coaches, and staff
• 1,120 MLB players, coaches, and staff across major and minor leagues
• 650 MLH players, coaches, and staff

College sports (approximately 3,000 people across 127 Division I programs):

• 1,340 football players
• 760 basketball players
• 240 coaches and coordinators
• 340 athletic trainers, equipment managers, and support staff
• 320 agents, boosters, and affiliated personnel

Over 400 of the college athletes are under 19 years old. At least 30 were 17 when their phones were compromised—technically minors under federal law. Some were high school seniors who had just signed letters of intent.

The data includes text messages, photos, videos, financial records, medical information, calendar data, and cloud storage contents. Some of the messages date back as far as 2011. As of 9 AM Eastern this morning, the files have been downloaded an estimated 127,000 times across torrent networks and dark web forums. They're spreading on Twitter and Instagram, sports blogs are publishing excerpts, and gambling forums are analyzing the data to reverse-engineer which games might have been affected by insider information.

And 7,500 people are waking up today to discover that their private lives are now public forever.

What's Happening Right Now

It's been barely 48 hours since the dump went public, but the data is already causing chaos.

Screenshots are everywhere on social media. An NFL quarterback's messages to his agent about his shoulder injury just hours before a primetime kickoff. A college point guard telling his high school coach that he got benched. NBA players complaining about their teammates. College kids discussing NCAA violations. Explicit photos. Family drama. Mental health struggles.

Sports betting forums are combing through the data with forensic intensity. One thread titled "Data Forensics - Who Knew What When" is already running 847 pages deep, with users cross-referencing message timestamps against historical betting lines to hunt for evidence of insider advantage.

Multiple athletes have deleted their social media accounts overnight. Agents aren't returning phone calls. College athletic departments are holding emergency meetings behind closed doors. Professional leagues have activated crisis management teams. But nobody's talking on the record yet—everyone's still trying to figure out just how bad this is for them personally.

"This isn't like a corporate data breach where you can get ahead of it with a press release," Thompson says. "The data's out there. It's spreading exponentially. And it includes content that will destroy careers, end marriages, and trigger criminal investigations. There's no putting this back in the box."

WIRED has reviewed hundreds of files from the dump. What we're seeing includes:

An NFL starting quarterback texting his girlfriend three hours before a primetime game where his team was favored by 14 points: "shoulder feels like shit but gonna try to get through it"

A college freshman texting his mom the night before a ranked matchup: "coach benched me, I'm not playing Saturday"

An NBA All-Star discussing performance-enhancing drug use in detail with his trainer, including schedules for when he cycles on and off to avoid detection

College football players at a top-10 program discussing cash payments from boosters, with specific dollar amounts and dates

An athletic trainer texting a colleague before a conference tournament game: "three starters have the flu, probably shouldn't be playing tonight"

Multiple MLB players discussing sign-stealing systems in granular detail

Multiple college athletes, some under 18 years old, discussing underage drinking, drug use, and sexual relationships

Explicit photos and videos of both professional and college athletes

Evidence of extramarital affairs across all sports

Text message threads revealing mental health crises, including suicidal ideation

Financial records showing potential tax evasion and money laundering

The youngest victim WIRED has identified so far is 17 years old; a high school senior who signed to play Division I basketball. His hacked messages include texts to his mother about being scared to leave home and conversations with his girlfriend about missing prom for AAU tournaments.

How They Did It

Jennifer Park is a forensic analyst who's been examining the malware samples since Wednesday morning. She hasn't slept much either.

"This is nation-state level sophistication," she says, pulling up code analysis on her screen. "The malware is incredibly patient. It embeds itself, stays dormant for weeks, and then slowly exfiltrates data over the course of months. It specifically targets messaging apps, photo libraries, financial applications, and cloud storage. It avoids certain activities during game days when athletes might be more likely to notice their phones acting strangely. It disguises its network traffic to look like normal app updates."

Based on metadata analysis, the attack appears to have begun in July 2018, just weeks after the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting in Murphy v. NCAA. The timing wasn't a coincidence.

The social engineering was remarkably sophisticated. Phishing emails posed as league officials, team personnel, equipment sponsors, coaches, and even family members. For college freshmen who were barely out of high school, the emails referenced specific high school achievements, recruiting visits, and upcoming classes.

"A college kid gets an email that looks like it's from his position coach with a link to an 'updated playbook'. He clicks it, and they're in," Thompson says. "These kids had no cybersecurity training. No institutional IT support. They never had a chance."

For professional athletes, the attacks were more targeted but equally effective. Emails appeared to be about contract negotiations from agents, equipment deals from Nike or Adidas, or media requests from ESPN. NFL players received what looked like official league communications about drug testing schedules or injury reporting requirements.

Once the malware was inside a device, it spread opportunistically. If it found text messages to other athletes, it would attempt to compromise them as well. That's how entire team rosters ended up getting hit. One compromised starting quarterback led to his backup, his wide receivers, his offensive coordinator, and the team's athletic trainer.

"They weaponized the professional relationships that exist in sports," Park says. "If your starting quarterback sends you a text message with a link in it, you trust it. You click it."

The Gambling Angle

This wasn't random crime. This was organized gambling syndicates hunting for insider information.

The economic incentive is straightforward: advance knowledge of injuries, lineup changes, player conflicts, or performance issues provides a massive advantage in betting markets. States have been legalizing sports betting for less than a year, and the industry is projected to generate tens of billions of dollars annually. Insider information in this nascent market is worth millions.

Blockchain analysts are already tracing cryptocurrency transactions associated with the breach. Preliminary analysis shows connections to gambling operations in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and Central America. Historical betting patterns from accounts in those regions show unusual activity in the months before the breach went public; activity that's consistent with having insider information.

"This is insider trading applied to sports betting," says Rachel Kim, an economist who studies gambling markets. "Except there are virtually no legal protections, especially in college sports. And the people being exploited are athletes, including teenagers."

What's particularly disturbing is that the data dump appears to have been unplanned. Sources familiar with the investigation believe the perpetrators intended to sell the data privately to gambling syndicates, use it themselves for betting, or both. Something went wrong—maybe they were detected, maybe a deal fell through, maybe there was internal conflict within the criminal network and they dumped everything publicly.

"Once they realized they'd been burned, they said fuck it and released it all," Thompson says. "That dump was either revenge, an attempt to create chaos and cover their tracks, or both."

1951 All Over Again

For anyone who knows college basketball history, this feels disturbingly familiar.

In 1951, a point-shaving scandal revealed that gamblers had bribed college players to manipulate game outcomes. Players from CCNY, Kentucky, Bradley, and other major programs were arrested. Several went to prison. CCNY's basketball program was dismantled. The scandal nearly destroyed college basketball.

"The 1951 scandal was about gamblers corrupting young players with cash," says David Foster, a media ethics professor at Columbia University who has studied sports gambling scandals for two decades. "This is about gamblers corrupting young players with malware. We learned absolutely nothing. Except this time the kids didn't even get paid."

The key difference is that in 1951, the players were complicit; they made a choice, even if it was a choice influenced by their poverty and desperation. In 2019, the players are purely victims. They were targeted by sophisticated criminal networks that they had no realistic chance of defending against.

The vulnerability was structural and completely predictable. Professional leagues have some player support infrastructure, though it clearly wasn't sufficient. College programs provided zero cybersecurity resources to student-athletes. The NCAA makes nearly $1 billion annually from March Madness television rights alone, but there were no mandatory security protocols in place for the athletes generating that revenue.

"The NCAA spends millions of dollars on compliance departments to make sure kids don't get free meals or sell their jerseys," says Amanda Chen, a privacy lawyer who specializes in college athletics. "They'll investigate a player for weeks if he accepts $20 from a booster. But protecting these same kids from international cybercriminals? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Zero."

What Happens Next

Right now, nobody knows.

As of this morning, none of the major sports leagues have issued official statements beyond brief acknowledgments that they're "aware of the situation" and "working with law enforcement." The NCAA released a single sentence: "We are working with federal authorities to understand the scope of this incident."

Federal law enforcement sources confirm that the FBI's cybercrime division is investigating, but no arrests have been announced and no suspects have been identified publicly. The investigation will likely span multiple countries and take months or even years to complete.

In the meantime, athletes are deleting their social media accounts. Agents aren't returning phone calls. Teams are hiring lawyers. Nobody wants to be the first to talk publicly because nobody knows what's in the data about them personally.

"We're in the chaos phase right now," Thompson says. "Everyone's trying to figure out how bad this is for them individually. The organizational response will come later. The legal response will come later. The regulatory response will come later. Right now it's just panic."

The data itself keeps spreading. Every hour brings more downloads, more screenshots circulating on social media, more sports blogs publishing excerpts, more people discovering that their private messages are now public entertainment.

For college athletes in particular, the situation is brutal. Many of them are teenagers with no lawyers, no PR teams, no institutional support beyond athletic departments that are themselves in crisis mode. Some are legal minors. All of them are watching their private lives become public.

"An 18-year-old college basketball player is going to Google his own name this morning and find his private text messages to his girlfriend published on TMZ," Foster says. "That kid has no resources to deal with this. No lawyer. No PR team. Nothing. And he's not even getting paid to play basketball. He generates revenue for his school and the NCAA, and they provided him with zero protection."

The betting markets are in chaos as well. Several major sportsbooks have suspended betting on college games entirely pending an investigation into whether the leaked data could compromise the integrity of the games. Others are limiting bet sizes. Gambling forums are filled with speculation about which games in recent months might have been affected by insider information.

And somewhere, likely across multiple continents, the people responsible for this are watching the chaos unfold. Maybe they're still betting on games. Maybe they're covering their tracks. Maybe they're planning the next attack.

The games continue. Saturday's college basketball slate is still scheduled. NFL teams are still practicing for next season. The NCAA tournament is three weeks away. But 7,500 people are dealing with the reality that their private lives are now public forever.

"You can't un-breach a breach," Park says. "This data is out there permanently. For an 18-year-old college freshman, this will follow him for 60 or 70 years. Every job interview, every relationship, every Google search of his name... this will be there. We're on day two of this. We have absolutely no idea how bad this is going to get."

Sarah Chen (@sarahbchen) is a WIRED senior writer covering cybersecurity and digital privacy.

This is a developing story. WIRED will update this article as more information becomes available.

Chapter End Notes

Just another idea I had kicking around

Chapter 2

THE NEW YORK TIMES

March 13, 2019

Federal Investigators Launch Multi-Sport Probe Following Massive Data Breach

Raids, subpoenas issued as leagues scramble to respond to leaked communications

By Ken Belson and Kevin Draper

Federal law enforcement officials raided the Philadelphia home of Philly Aviators linebacker Elijah Turner early Thursday morning as part of an expanding investigation into organized crime connections revealed in this week's unprecedented data breach affecting thousands of athletes.

Turner, 27, was led from his suburban mansion in handcuffs at approximately 6:15 a.m. as F.B.I. agents executed a search warrant. Sources familiar with the investigation say the raid relates to leaked text messages discussing illegal gambling operations and underground dogfighting rings across three states.

The raid represents the first criminal action stemming from the breach that has exposed the private communications of an estimated 7,500 professional and college athletes since early Wednesday morning.

Webb's attorney, Gerald Moscowitz, issued a brief statement: "Mr. Turner maintains his innocence and is cooperating fully with authorities."

The league declined to comment on the ongoing investigation but confirmed that Turner has been placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List pending the outcome of the federal probe.

The raid comes as sports leagues face mounting pressure to respond to dozens of potential violations exposed in the leaked data, ranging from performance-enhancing drug use to potential match-fixing schemes.

THE BOSTON GLOBE

March 14, 2019

Raiders, Red Sox both implicated in widening breach scandal

Seven MLH personnel from Boston and Philadelphia under investigation for match-fixing; Sox communications reveal advanced sign-stealing operation

By Matt Porter and Alex Speier

The scope of Boston's exposure in this week's massive sports data breach became clearer Thursday as both the Raiders and Red Sox confirmed they are subjects of league investigations stemming from leaked communications.

The MLH announced late Wednesday that it has launched a formal investigation into potential match-fixing involving seven individuals connected to the Boston Raiders and Philadelphia Flames organizations. League sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated the investigation involves players, coaching staff, and front office personnel from both teams, though the league declined to specify roles or provide names.

"The integrity of MLH competition is paramount," the league said in a statement. "We are conducting a thorough investigation with the full cooperation of both clubs."

The investigation appears to center on communications between members of the two organizations, though sources cautioned that investigators are still piecing together whether the communications indicate actual game manipulation or merely inappropriate contact between rival clubs. The leaked data reportedly includes discussions of game strategy, injury information, and lineup decisions shared between individuals who should not have been communicating.

A league source told the Globe that investigators are examining three distinct "clusters" of communication within the leaked data, suggesting multiple potential schemes or relationships that may have influenced games between the teams.

Meanwhile, Major League Baseball confirmed it has opened its own investigation into the Red Sox following the exposure of text messages detailing an elaborate electronic sign-stealing operation that went far beyond the team's previous infractions.

The Sox declined to comment beyond a brief statement: "We are aware of the league's investigation and are cooperating fully."

The twin investigations represent a nightmare scenario for Boston sports, coming just months after the Red Sox won the World Series and as the Raiders enter the final stretch of the regular season currently holding a playoff position.

LOS ANGELES TIMES

March 15, 2019

Titans star among athletes exposed in PED communications; Dodgers face sign-stealing questions

Leaked texts reveal detailed performance-enhancing drug protocols across multiple sports

By Tania Ganguli and Bill Shaikin

Los Angeles Titans All-Star forward DeMarcus Collins is among dozens of professional athletes whose leaked communications revealed detailed discussions of performance-enhancing drug use, the Los Angeles Times has learned.

Text messages between Collins and his personal trainer, obtained through this week's massive data breach, include specific schedules for "cycling" on and off substances to avoid detection by the league's testing program, as well as references to masking agents and testing windows.

The league announced Thursday it is investigating multiple players whose communications suggest PED use, though officials declined to name specific individuals.

"We take these allegations extremely seriously and will pursue all appropriate disciplinary measures," the league said in a statement.

Collins, 26, a three-time All-Star who signed a four-year, $112-million contract extension last summer, did not respond to requests for comment. His agent, Rich Maxwell of CAA Sports, released a brief statement: "DeMarcus looks forward to cooperating with the league's investigation and is confident he will be fully cleared."

The Titans organization released its own statement Thursday afternoon: "We are aware of the allegations and are working with the league office. We will have no further comment at this time."

Meanwhile, the Dodgers confirmed Thursday that MLB is examining communications involving three players and a coach that reference what sources describe as an electronic sign-stealing system. The leaked messages include discussions of "the system" and "the feeds" during the 2018 season, including the postseason.

The Dodgers issued a brief statement: "We are cooperating with Major League Baseball's investigation and have no further comment at this time."

The revelations come as the Los Angeles Monarchs confirmed that multiple members of their organization are part of the MLH's broader investigation into potential match-fixing. The team declined to provide specifics about which individuals are involved or their roles within the organization.

HOUSTON CHRONICLE

March 16, 2019

Astros face new sign-stealing allegations following data breach

Leaked communications detail electronic system that may have extended into 2018 season

By Chandler Rome

The Houston Astros are facing a new wave of sign-stealing allegations after leaked text messages revealed detailed discussions of an electronic system that players and coaches allegedly used to decode opponents' signs during the 2018 season.

The communications, exposed in this week's massive data breach affecting thousands of athletes, include messages between Astros players discussing the placement of cameras, the relay of information to hitters, and specific signs stolen from opposing catchers during playoff games.

Major League Baseball confirmed Thursday it has launched a formal investigation into the Astros organization.

The leaked messages appear to show a sign-stealing operation that continued well beyond the 2017 season, when the team won the World Series. One message thread from August 2018 includes detailed discussion of camera angles at the stadium and how information was being relayed to the dugout and to hitters during at-bats.

...

THE WASHINGTON POST

March 17, 2019

Sentinels guard suspended indefinitely following domestic violence evidence

Leaked texts to teammate detail pattern of abuse; team acts swiftly

By Ben Golliver

The Washington Sentinels suspended guard Terrell Davidson indefinitely Sunday after leaked text messages revealed what the team described as "credible evidence of domestic violence."

The messages, part of last week's massive data breach, include conversations between Davidson and a teammate in which Davidson describes in graphic detail multiple incidents of physical violence against his girlfriend, including one incident that allegedly occurred the night before a home game in January.

"The Washington Sentinels have zero tolerance for domestic violence," the team said in a statement. "Upon becoming aware of these communications, we immediately suspended Terrell Davidson indefinitely and are cooperating fully with law enforcement."

The league said it is conducting its own investigation and that Davidson's suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of both the league and legal investigations.

Davidson, 24, is in his third season and was averaging 11.2 points per game before the suspension. His agent declined to comment. Davidson's girlfriend has not made any public statement, and it's unclear whether she was aware of the breach or the leaked messages.

...

DALLAS MORNING NEWS

March 18, 2019

Stampede quarterback's leaked messages spark controversy over religious views

Text messages reveal extreme beliefs about LGBTQ individuals, women's roles; team faces pressure to respond

By Michael Gehlken

Dallas Stampede backup quarterback Ryan Mitchell is facing intense scrutiny after leaked text messages revealed extensive discussions of extreme religious beliefs, including statements that LGBTQ individuals should face legal punishment and that women should be barred from most professional roles.

The messages, part of last week's massive data breach, include conversations with family members and fellow churchgoers in which Mitchell, 26, describes homosexuality as deserving of "biblical punishment" and argues that women should be prohibited from positions of authority in business, government and religious institutions.

In one message thread from November, Mitchell discusses a draftee who is openly gay, writing: "Don't care what the league says, I'm not sharing a locker room with that. It's an abomination and shouldn't be tolerated in society period."

The Stampede released a carefully worded statement Monday afternoon: "The Dallas Stampede organization is comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds with diverse beliefs. We are reviewing the situation and will have further comment in the coming days."

The league declined to comment beyond noting that extensive inclusion and diversity training has been conducted for all players.

Mitchell's agent, David Portnoy, released a statement defending the quarterback's right to religious expression: "Ryan Mitchell is a devout Christian whose faith guides his life. He has the constitutional right to his religious beliefs, which he expressed in private communications with family members. These messages were stolen and published without his consent."

The controversy has sparked fierce debate on social media and sports talk radio, with some defending Mitchell's right to private religious beliefs and others arguing that his views are incompatible with playing in a diverse professional environment.

LGBTQ advocacy groups called on the Stampede to release Mitchell.

"These aren't private religious beliefs about personal faith," said Jon Williams, spokesperson for GLAAD. "These are statements advocating for legal discrimination and punishment of LGBTQ people. There's a difference between faith and hate."

The Stampede have not indicated whether they plan to discipline Mitchell or release him from his contract. Sources say the team plans to meet with Mitchell this week before making any decisions.

THE ATHLETIC

March 19, 2019

The Breach: One Week Later

A sport-by-sport breakdown of the expanding crisis

By Staff Writers

One week after the breach went public, sports leagues remain mired in overlapping investigations with no clear end in sight. What began as a shocking revelation has evolved into a grinding crisis affecting every major professional sport.

Basketball: PEDs, Violence, and Everything Between

The league's crisis expanded dramatically last week with investigations now spanning multiple categories of misconduct.

Los Angeles Titans forward DeMarcus Collins headlines the PED probe, but league sources indicate at least nine players across six teams are under investigation for performance-enhancing drug use. The leaked communications include detailed protocols for cycling substances and avoiding detection.

Meanwhile, the Washington Sentinels moved swiftly to suspend guard Terrell Davidson indefinitely after leaked messages revealed descriptions of domestic violence against his girlfriend. The league confirmed it's conducting its own investigation parallel to the team's actions and any potential criminal proceedings.

MLB: The Sign-Stealing Epidemic

What began with the Astros investigation has metastasized into a league-wide crisis. Baseball sources now say at least four teams, Houston, Boston, Los Angeles, and one National League Central team that has not yet been publicly identified, are under investigation for various forms of electronic sign-stealing.

The Dodgers' case is particularly intriguing because leaked communications reference "the system" during the 2018 postseason, raising questions about whether their World Series run that year was aided by illicit methods.

Football: From Federal Crimes to Cultural Flashpoints

Elijah Turner's arrest dominated early headlines, but the league now faces a multifaceted crisis spanning criminal behavior, domestic violence, and explosive cultural controversies.

The Dallas Stampede are under intense pressure following the exposure of backup quarterback Ryan Mitchell's extreme religious views, including statements advocating legal punishment for LGBTQ individuals. While the views themselves aren't illegal, LGBTQ advocacy groups are demanding Mitchell's release, setting up a potential collision between religious freedom and workplace inclusion.

At least 15 players across multiple teams are under investigation for PED use, with discussions of testosterone, HGH, and masking agents appearing in communications from eight different franchises.

MLH: Match-Fixing Mystery Deepens

The league's investigation into seven individuals connected to the Boston Raiders, Philadelphia Flames, and Los Angeles Monarchs remains shrouded in unusual secrecy. Unlike other leagues that have identified specific players or teams, the MLH has declined to specify even the roles of those under investigation.

League sources describe "three clusters" of suspicious communication, though whether these represent separate issues or a coordinated scheme remains unclear. The investigation involves individuals from multiple organizational levels, adding to the complexity.

College Sports: The Youngest Victims

While professional leagues scramble to investigate violations, college athletics faces an entirely different crisis. Over 3,000 college athletes had their communications exposed, including more than 400 who are under 19 years old.

The NCAA has been notably silent beyond its initial one-sentence statement, even as leaked communications reveal potential violations across dozens of programs. Legal experts say the organization faces nearly impossible legal and ethical questions about pursuing violations based on stolen data involving minors.

"How do you discipline an 18-year-old kid based on evidence obtained through a massive criminal hack?" one compliance director asked. "Nobody knows."

MAJOR LEAGUE HOCKEY
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER

CONFIDENTIAL - ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT

March 20, 2019

TO: Boston Raiders (Ownership, General Manager, Head Coach)
TO: Philadelphia Flames (Ownership, General Manager, Head Coach)
TO: Montreal Metros (Ownership, General Manager, Head Coach)
TO: Los Angeles Monarchs (Ownership, General Manager, Head Coach)

RE: MANDATORY ATTENDANCE - LEAGUE INTEGRITY INVESTIGATION

This communication serves as formal notice that your organization is required to send authorized representatives to an emergency closed-door meeting at League Headquarters in New York.

DATE: March 21, 2019
TIME: 9:00 AM Eastern
LOCATION: MLH Offices, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, 12th Floor, Conference Room A

REQUIRED ATTENDEES:

• Principal Owner or designated ownership representative
• General Manager
• Legal Counsel (mandatory)
• The following individuals (with their own legal representation):
  • Boston Raiders: Ilya Rozanov (C), Victor St-Simon (D), Dr. Patricia McGraw (Team Physician)
  • Montreal Metros: Shane Hollander (C)
  • Philadelphia Flames: Marcus Webb (D), Terry Sullivan (Assistant Equipment Manager)
  • Los Angeles Monarchs: Kevin Lee (Assistant General Manager)

PURPOSE:

The League has been conducting intensive analysis of communications exposed in the March 12 data breach. After eight days of forensic review and preliminary interviews, we have identified serious concerns regarding competitive integrity that require immediate discussion with your organizations.

Your organization has been identified in connection with one or more clusters of communications that present potential violations of League rules governing competitive integrity, player conduct, and organizational compliance.

Our investigation has identified three distinct areas of concern:

1. Organizational Information Sharing: Communications between front office personnel, coaching staff, and/or medical personnel across competing organizations regarding strategic information, injury status, lineup decisions, and other competitively sensitive matters that should not have been shared

2. Gambling-Related Activity: Financial transactions on gambling platforms and communications demonstrating detailed, real-time discussions of game circumstances involving individuals with access to non-public information

3. Player Communications: Text message exchanges between active players on competing teams that may indicate coordination, information sharing, or relationships that created conflicts of interest during competitive games

The League wishes to be clear: at this stage, we have completed preliminary fact-gathering and have identified specific communications and individuals of concern. However, we have not reached final conclusions about the nature or severity of violations, if any have occurred. This meeting is intended to provide your organizations with an opportunity to review relevant materials and respond before any disciplinary decisions are made.

EXPECTATIONS:

• This meeting and its subject matter remain strictly confidential
• Organizations must not discuss this matter with media, other clubs, or potentially implicated individuals
• Organizations must continue to preserve all relevant communications and records
• Organizations should be prepared to discuss specific communications that will be presented during the meeting
• Organizations should be prepared to answer detailed questions about compliance protocols, organizational oversight, and the roles of specific individuals

Given that we are now in the second week following the breach, the League expects organizations to have already conducted internal reviews. You should be prepared to present findings from those reviews.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Given the serious nature of these matters and potential disciplinary consequences, attendance by legal counsel is mandatory for all organizational representatives.

Players are strongly advised to retain independent legal representation separate from team counsel, as their interests may diverge from organizational interests. The MLHPA has been notified and will have representation present.

The League has retained independent outside investigators who have been conducting interviews over the past week and will continue to do so in the coming weeks.

Failure to attend this meeting or comply with investigation procedures will be treated as non-cooperation and may result in independent disciplinary action.

Questions regarding logistics should be directed to Laura Greene-Thompson (l.greenethompson@mlh.com). Questions regarding the investigation should be reserved for the meeting itself.

The integrity of MLH competition is paramount. We expect your full cooperation as we work to understand the facts and protect the game.

Sincerely,

Guy Powers
Commissioner
Major League Hockey

CC: MLH General Counsel
CC: MLH Security and Integrity Department
CC: Independent Investigator (retained)

MAJOR LEAGUE HOCKEY
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER

CONFIDENTIAL - NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION

March 20, 2019
5:47 PM Eastern

TO: Boston Raiders - General Manager, Head Coach
TO: Montreal Metros - General Manager, Head Coach

RE: IMMEDIATE DIRECTIVE - PLAYER AVAILABILITY

This communication constitutes a direct order from the Office of the Commissioner regarding player availability.

Effective immediately and until further notice:

BOSTON RAIDERS: Ilya Rozanov is to be held out of all team activities including practices, games, and public appearances.

MONTREAL METROS: Shane Hollander is to be held out of all team activities including practices, games, and public appearances.

This is not optional. This is a Commissioner's directive issued under Article 18.7(b) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement regarding matters affecting League integrity.

COMPENSATION STATUS

Both players will continue to receive full salary and benefits during this period. This is administrative leave, not suspension. No disciplinary determination has been made at this time.

Under the CBA, players on administrative leave related to integrity investigations continue to accrue service time and remain on the active roster for salary cap purposes.

PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS PROTOCOL

You are expressly prohibited from:

• Stating that this directive came from the League office
• Referencing any investigation
• Suggesting any wrongdoing by either player
• Discussing specifics of why players are unavailable
• Confirming or denying any media speculation

Approved public statement (use this exact language):

"[Player name] is unavailable for tonight's game/today's practice due to a personal matter. We have no further comment at this time and ask that you respect [his] privacy."

If pressed by media, repeat: "It's a personal matter and we're not providing additional details."

Do not elaborate. Do not speculate. Do not deviate from this language.

INTERNAL TEAM COMMUNICATIONS

You may tell your coaching staff and leadership group that the player is dealing with "a League matter" and that you cannot provide details. You should emphasize that:

• No determination has been made about any wrongdoing
• The player's status will be reevaluated in the coming weeks
• The team should focus on preparing for games without these players

You may NOT:

• Tell anyone about the investigation
• Show anyone the communications evidence
• Discuss the other player involved
• Mention the March 21 meeting

PLAYER CONTACT

The players themselves may not be told the specific reason for this directive until after the March 21 meeting. They should be informed only that:

• The League has directed the team to hold them out
• They will receive more information within 24 hours
• They should have legal counsel present for that conversation
• They will continue to receive full pay and benefits

The players may not:

• Attend any team facilities
• Participate in any team activities
• Communicate with teammates about their status
• Make any public statements about their absence

TONIGHT'S GAMES

BOSTON RAIDERS at Carolina - 7:00 PM
MONTREAL METROS at Ottawa - 7:30 PM

Both players are scratched effective immediately. Your injury reports filed at 6:00 PM should list them as "out - personal matter."

We understand this creates significant competitive disruption during a critical point in the season. The League does not take this action lightly. However, integrity concerns take absolute precedence over competitive considerations.

VIOLATION CONSEQUENCES

Failure to comply with this directive will result in:

• Immediate $1 million fine to the organization
• Potential forfeit of affected games
• Personal discipline against General Manager and Head Coach
• Potential suspension of franchise operations pending compliance

This directive is issued under emergency authority provisions of the CBA and may not be grieved or challenged until after the integrity investigation is complete.

QUESTIONS

Legal/CBA questions: Laura Greene-Thompson, MLH Legal (l.greenethompson@mlh.com/ 212-555-0147)
Logistics questions: James Porter, Hockey Operations (j.porter@mlh.com / 212-555-0198)

Do not call with objections. This directive is final.

Guy Powers
Commissioner
Major League Hockey

CC: MLH Legal
CC: MLH Security and Integrity
CC: MLHPA (notification copy only)

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

March 20, 2019

The Breach Economy: Who's Making Money Off Stolen Data?

As leagues investigate violations, a darker market emerges online

By Jenny Vrentas and Alex Prewitt

More than a week after the breach went public, the leaked data has spawned its own economy—and not just for gambling syndicates.

Sports blogs are publishing excerpts and seeing record traffic. Betting forums are selling "analysis packages" that cross-reference leaked communications with historical betting lines. Social media accounts are monetizing screenshots through ad revenue. Someone is selling printed compilations on eBay.

TMZ paid an undisclosed sum for exclusive rights to publish excerpts from certain high-profile athletes' messages. Barstool Sports has launched a dedicated podcast parsing through the most salacious content. Deadspin's servers crashed twice last week from traffic spikes.

Meanwhile, the human cost continues to mount. At least 30 athletes have deleted their social media accounts entirely. Others have hired crisis management firms at costs ranging from $25,000 to over $100,000. Several college athletes have withdrawn from their schools. The Sentinels' Terrell Davidson is facing potential criminal charges. The Stampede's Ryan Mitchell has received death threats.

"We're watching the commodification of private lives in real time," said Dr. Amanda Kwon, a privacy law expert at Georgetown. "The breach was criminal. But the secondary market that's emerged is legal, and that might be even more disturbing."

The betting angle remains perhaps the most lucrative and most troubling. Gambling forums are conducting forensic analysis of the leaked data, looking for any advance knowledge of injuries, lineup changes or internal team dynamics that might have influenced games.

"The people who stole this data probably made millions before it ever went public," said Rachel Kim, a gambling market analyst. "Now everyone's trying to catch up."

FARGO FORUM

March 21, 2019

University of North Dakota hockey program faces hazing investigation

Leaked messages reveal culture of silence, pressure on freshmen to "take it"

By Tom Miller [print edition]

The University of North Dakota hockey program is under investigation after leaked communications revealed a systematic culture of hazing and intense pressure on younger players to remain silent about their treatment.

Text messages between team members, exposed in last week's data breach, include detailed descriptions of hazing rituals involving alcohol consumption, physical abuse, and humiliating acts that freshmen were required to endure as part of "team tradition."

More troubling to investigators are messages showing upperclassmen explicitly warning freshmen against reporting the incidents to coaches or university officials, with threats of ostracism and retaliation for those who "couldn't handle it."

One message thread from September includes an upperclassman writing: "What happens in the locker room stays in the locker room. Anyone who talks gets cut off. We've been doing this for years and nobody needs to know."

Another exchange shows a freshman player confiding in a teammate that he wanted to report an incident to the coaching staff, only to be talked out of it. "Don't be that guy," the teammate responded. "You'll ruin it for everyone and make yourself a target. Just get through it."

The university released a statement Thursday evening: "We are deeply troubled by these allegations and have launched an immediate investigation. The University of North Dakota has zero tolerance for hazing in any form. We are cooperating with law enforcement and will take appropriate action based on the findings."

The hockey coaching staff has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation's outcome. The team's remaining games this season have been canceled.

Athletic Director Jennifer Walsh addressed reporters Friday morning, visibly shaken. "These allegations represent a fundamental failure of our program's culture and leadership. We failed these young men, and we take full responsibility."

Hazing experts say the leaked messages reveal a textbook case of institutional hazing culture, where the pressure to maintain silence becomes as damaging as the hazing itself.

"What you're seeing here is a system that perpetuates itself through fear and tradition," said Dr. Susan Lipkins, a psychologist who studies hazing. "The upperclassmen were likely hazed themselves, and they're continuing the cycle while actively suppressing any attempt to break it."

The investigation has prompted several former players to come forward with their own accounts of hazing during their time with the program, some dating back five years.

[Continue HOCKEY page 6]

PHOENIX TRIBUNE

March 22, 2019

Phoenix Scorpions player under scrutiny for extremist political views

Leaked messages show discussions of militia membership, anti-government rhetoric

By Richard Ruelas

Phoenix Scorpions defenseman Kyle Brennan is facing questions about his political activities after leaked text messages revealed his involvement with anti-government groups and discussions about joining a private militia organization.

The messages, part of last week's massive data breach, include conversations with individuals identified as militia members, discussions of "government tyranny," and plans to attend armed rallies. In one exchange from December, Brennan discusses attending a "training weekend" with a group described as a "citizen militia" in rural Arizona. Other messages reference stockpiling supplies and ammunition "in case things go south."

The Scorpions released a carefully worded statement Friday: "We are aware of communications involving Kyle Brennan that have come to light. While players have the right to their political views and activities within the bounds of the law, we are reviewing whether these activities conflict with team policies or league standards."

The league has not opened a formal investigation, noting that political activity and speech are protected rights. However, security officials confirmed they are reviewing the messages to ensure no threats or illegal activity are present.

Brennan's agent released a statement defending the player's constitutional rights: "Kyle Brennan is a patriotic American who exercises his First and Second Amendment rights. He has never advocated for violence, broken any laws, or violated any team or league policies. His political views, however unpopular to some, are protected by the Constitution."

The controversy has divided fans and commentators. Some argue that Brennan's off-ice political activities are irrelevant to his role as a player, while others contend that his association with extremist groups is incompatible with representing a professional sports organization.

"The line here is violence and illegal activity," said Mark Pitcavage, a researcher who studies extremism. "From what's been reported, this appears to be someone with far-right political views who associates with militia groups. At this time, there's no indication of planning violence. That's protected speech, even if many people find it disturbing."

However, the Anti-Defamation League raised concerns about the groups Brennan appears to be associated with. "Some of these militia organizations have documented ties to white supremacist movements," said spokesperson Rachel Goldstein. "At least three have histories of violent actions and hate crimes against the Jewish community; these associations are deeply concerning."

The Scorpions have scheduled a meeting with Brennan next week and are expected to issue further guidance following that conversation.

LA PRESSE / MONTREAL GAZETTE

March 23, 2019

Les Metros de Montréal font face à des allégations de discrimination linguistique

Des courriels divulgués révèlent des pratiques d’embauche excluantes au sein de la direction

Par Guillaume Lefrançois [LP] et Stu Cowan [MG] [English version] 

L’organisation des Metros de Montréal est plongée dans une controverse majeure après la divulgation de courriels internes laissant entrevoir des pratiques d’embauche discriminatoires fondées sur la langue au sein de ses opérations administratives.

Les échanges, rendus publics à la suite de la vaste fuite de données ayant touché le milieu sportif la semaine dernière, montrent des cadres supérieurs discutant ouvertement de la nécessité de privilégier exclusivement des candidats francophones pour des postes de gestion, même lorsque le bilinguisme aurait normalement été suffisant.

Dans un échange datant de janvier, un dirigeant écrit : « Il faut garder l’organisation française. Je me fiche des compétences, s’ils n’ont pas le français comme langue maternelle, ils ne correspondent pas à notre culture. »

D’autres messages montrent des cadres se moquant d’un employé anglophone tentant de s’exprimer en français lors de réunions internes.

Les courriels concernent uniquement le personnel administratif et de gestion. Aucun joueur ne semble impliqué, et plusieurs membres de l’équipe ont dénoncé publiquement la situation.

« Ce n’est pas ce que nous représentons dans ce vestiaire », a déclaré le capitaine suppléant Hayden Pike samedi. « Notre équipe est composée de joueurs provenant de partout dans le monde. Le respect doit être au centre de tout. »

Dans un communiqué, les Metros ont affirmé être « consternés » par le contenu des messages et ont annoncé l’ouverture d’une enquête interne.

La Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse a confirmé qu’elle analysait le dossier afin de déterminer s’il y a eu violation des lois québécoises en matière de discrimination.

Selon des experts en droit du travail, la protection de la langue française ne saurait justifier l’exclusion systématique de candidats en raison de leur langue d’origine.

Trois dirigeants ont été relevés de leurs fonctions de façon administrative, et la ligue a mandaté un enquêteur indépendant pour examiner les pratiques de l’organisation au cours des cinq dernières années.

ESPN

March 24, 2019

Breach Fallout: First Suspensions Handed Down

Leagues begin disciplinary actions as investigations progress; legal challenges expected

By Adrian Wojnarowski and Adam Schefter

Nearly two weeks after the breach went public, leagues are beginning to announce disciplinary actions even as investigations continue and legal questions mount about using stolen data as evidence.

The basketball league announced Sunday that three players have been suspended without pay for violating the league's anti-drug program. The suspensions range from 20 to 40 games, though the league did not identify the players or specify which substances were involved.

"These suspensions are based on violations of our collectively bargained drug policy," the league said in a statement. "The evidence, while obtained through unlawful means, reveals clear violations that we cannot ignore."

The players' union immediately signaled it would challenge the suspensions through arbitration, arguing that disciplinary action based on stolen communications violates players' privacy rights and due process protections.

"We will vigorously defend our members' rights," the union said in a statement. "Evidence obtained through criminal activity should not be the basis for discipline, regardless of what it reveals."

Legal experts predict the challenge could reach federal court, potentially setting precedent for how employers can use data obtained through criminal hacks.

Meanwhile, MLB announced that its investigation into sign-stealing operations has expanded to include a fifth team, though the league declined to identify which organization is now under scrutiny. Commissioner Rob Manfred is expected to address the investigations publicly this week for the first time since the breach occurred.

The MLH's match-fixing investigation remains ongoing, with league officials saying they expect it to continue for at least another month. Sources say investigators are interviewing dozens of current and former players and team personnel.

In college sports, the NCAA broke its silence Sunday with an announcement that it has formed a task force to develop guidelines for how to handle potential violations revealed through the breach. The statement acknowledged the "unprecedented legal and ethical questions" the organization faces.

"We are committed to protecting the integrity of college athletics while respecting the privacy rights of student-athletes, particularly minors," the NCAA said.

................

THE NEW YORK TIMES

March 25, 2019

Dallas Stampede Release QB Ryan Mitchell Amid Controversy

Team cites 'conduct detrimental'; move follows week of debate over religious freedom vs. workplace inclusion

By Ken Belson

The Dallas Stampede released backup quarterback Ryan Mitchell on Monday, ending a week-long controversy over leaked text messages that revealed extreme religious views, including statements advocating legal punishment for LGBTQ individuals.

The team announced the decision in a brief statement: "The Dallas Stampede have released quarterback Ryan Mitchell. This decision was made after careful consideration and is based on conduct detrimental to the team. We will have no further comment."

The move comes after intense pressure from LGBTQ advocacy groups and sponsors, though the team insisted the decision was made independently based on team policies rather than external pressure.

Mitchell's agent, David Portnoy, released a statement Monday afternoon: "Ryan Mitchell's constitutional rights have been violated. He expressed private religious beliefs in what he believed were private communications. The Stampede have chosen political correctness over religious freedom, and we are exploring all legal options."

Legal experts say Mitchell could potentially file a wrongful termination lawsuit, though his chances of success are uncertain given that professional athletes' contracts typically include broad "conduct detrimental" clauses.

The case has ignited fierce debate about the boundaries between private beliefs and public employment, particularly in the context of communications exposed through criminal activity.

The league has not issued its own discipline against Mitchell, though sources say officials were monitoring the situation closely. The release by Dallas may have preempted league action.

Mitchell, 26, was in the third year of a four-year contract worth $2.8 million. He had been the team's backup quarterback for two seasons and appeared in six games last year.

The Stampede indicated they would not seek to recover any portion of Mitchell's guaranteed salary, potentially avoiding a grievance from the players' union.

Several teams have privately indicated they would not sign Mitchell given the controversy, though his agent suggested there is interest from "organizations that value religious freedom."

THE WASHINGTON POST

March 26, 2019 

Two Weeks After the Breach: A Crisis Without End

Investigations expand, legal battles loom, and more scandals wait to be discovered

By Les Carpenter and Liz Clarke

Two weeks after the breach went public, the crisis shows no signs of resolution. 

At least 30 athletes across four major sports are under formal investigation. One has been arrested. One has been released on bail. Several have been suspended. Countless others are waiting to learn if their communications will be the next to generate headlines.

The legal landscape is becoming increasingly complex. Players' unions are preparing to challenge disciplinary actions in arbitration and potentially federal court. Teams are reviewing employment contracts to understand their exposure to wrongful termination claims. Insurance companies are examining whether coverage applies to breach-related lawsuits.

Meanwhile, the criminal investigation into the breach itself has made little visible progress. The F.B.I. has not announced any arrests or even identified suspects. Security experts say the sophistication of the attack suggests a well-funded operation, possibly with state-level resources.

The betting angle remains perhaps the most troubling unknown. If the hackers had access to this data for months before releasing it publicly, they could have placed bets informed by inside knowledge of injuries, lineup changes, and internal team dynamics. Sports betting markets show no obvious anomalies in the months before the breach, but investigators are examining historical betting patterns for suspicious activity.

For athletes, the psychological toll is mounting. Many describe feeling violated and vulnerable, knowing their most private communications are now subject to public scrutiny and commercial exploitation. Some are in therapy. Others have cut off contact with family members whose messages were exposed.

"People don't understand what this does to you," one athlete told The Washington Post on condition of anonymity. "Every relationship in your life is now suspect. Every conversation you ever had is potentially out there. You can't trust anyone, and you can't trust that anything is actually private."

Chapter 3

Chapter Notes

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

MHL Competitive Integrity Investigation - March 12, 2019 Data Breach

Prepared by: Morrison & Klein LLP - Independent Investigators
Date: March 20, 2019
Classification: ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT - PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL

I. INVESTIGATION OVERVIEW

Between March 13-20, 2019, our firm conducted a preliminary investigation into communications exposed in the March 12 data breach involving personnel from four MLH organizations: Boston Raiders, Montreal Metros, Philadelphia Flames, and Los Angeles Monarchs.

Our review identified three distinct clusters of communications that present potential violations of League rules. Seven individuals have been identified as subjects of investigation.

This summary represents preliminary findings only. Full interviews with all subjects have not yet been completed, and we have not reached final conclusions regarding rule violations or disciplinary recommendations.

II. CLUSTER ONE: Organizational Information Sharing

Subjects:

• Dr. Patricia McGraw, Team Physician, Boston Raiders
• Kevin Lee, Assistant General Manager, Los Angeles Monarchs

Nature of Communications:

Email and text message exchanges between Dr. McGraw and Kevin Lee spanning 2016-2019 show systematic sharing of confidential medical information, injury status reports, and lineup decisions between competing organizations.

Key Examples:

March 15, 2017 - 48 hours before BOS vs LAM game:

McGraw to Lee: "Rozanov's shoulder is worse than we're reporting. He insisted on playing but he's at 60% at best. Struggled to lift his arm above his head in practice today."

January 8, 2018 - morning of BOS vs LAM game:

Lee  to McGraw: "Anderson and Matthews both have the flu. We're going to dress them but they probably shouldn't be on ice for more than 10 minutes each. Don't tell anyone I told you this."

November 22, 2018:

McGraw to Lee: "Coach is planning to start backup goalie tomorrow but hasn't announced it yet. Giving starter a rest game."

Preliminary Assessment:

These communications represent clear violations of competitive integrity protocols. Both individuals had fiduciary duties to their respective organizations and were sharing information that could provide competitive advantage.

Unanswered Questions:

• Was this information used to influence coaching decisions or game strategy?
• Were other individuals in either organization aware of this relationship?
• Was any of this information shared with third parties, including gambling interests?

The betting angle is under active investigation. Kevin Lee's personal financial records show significant DraftKings activity during the period of these communications.

III. CLUSTER TWO: Gambling-Related Activity

Subjects:

• Marcus Webb, Defenseman, Philadelphia Flames
• Victor St-Simon, Defenseman, Boston Raiders
• Terry Sullivan, Assistant Equipment Manager, Philadelphia Flames

Nature of Communications:

Text messages and financial records reveal a network of individuals with access to non-public team information who were actively placing bets on MLH games, including games involving their own teams.

Key Examples:

February 3, 2019 - 6 hours before PHI vs BOS game:

Webb to St-Simon: "Hammersmith is hurt worse than they're saying. Probably sits second half. Also heard your backup goalie is starting?"

St-Simon to Webb: "Yeah Coach told us this morning. Don't fucking tell anyone"

Webb to Sullivan: "BOS starting backup. Hammersmith out second half probably"

DraftKings records show Webb placed a $15,000 bet on Philadelphia -1.5 that same day. Sullivan placed $8,000 on the over. Both won.

March 2, 2019 - day before PHI vs MTL game:

Group chat between Webb, Sullivan, and three individuals identified as high school friends: "Three Montreal starters have food poisoning. Going heavy on Philly tomorrow. This is free money boys"

DraftKings records show five accounts connected to this group placed combined bets exceeding $47,000 on Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 6-2.

Preliminary Assessment:

This cluster presents the most serious criminal exposure. The pattern shows:

• Systematic sharing of non-public information for gambling purposes
• Direct participation by active players
• Coordination across teams to obtain insider information
• Significant money involved (estimated $200K+ in bets over 2018-19 season)

Critical Issues:

• Federal wire fraud statutes may apply
• Multiple games appear to have been affected by insider betting
• Webb and St-Simon had a pre-existing relationship (junior hockey teammates 2009-2011)
• No evidence yet of game manipulation, but investigation is ongoing

The FBI has been notified and is conducting a parallel criminal investigation.

IV. CLUSTER THREE: Player Communications - Rozanov/Hollander

Subjects:

• Ilya Rozanov, Captain and Center, Boston Raiders
• Shane Hollander, Captain and Center, Montreal Metros

Nature of Communications:

Text messages spanning 2011-2019 reveal an ongoing personal and sexual relationship between the captains of competing teams.

Key Examples:

March 2017 - afternoon before BOS vs MTL playoff game:

Rozanov to Hollander: "Come over?"

Hollander: "I can't! Don't be stupid."

Rozanov: "Come over. Not for long. An hour?"

Hollander: "No. Come on. We both know that's a bad idea."

Rozanov: "Everything we do is a bad idea. Come over."

Communications indicate Hollander did visit Rozanov's residence that day, hours before game time.

Multiple communications 2014-2017 showing:

• Coordination of private meetings during game trips
• Sexual communications in proximity to competitive games
• Discussions of game outcomes framed in sexual terms
• Use of hotel rooms during away games for meetings

Examples of game-related communications:

2014 Playoffs:

Rozanov: "If I win this round I get to fuck you next fall"

Hollander: "What do I get if I win"

Rozanov: "Same thing ;)"

2014 (different exchange):

Hollander: "Feel like getting murdured in a dark alley in MTL in 2 weeks?"

Rozanov: "Lucky."

Hollander: "The luckiest"

Hollander: "Don't work too hard this summer. I'm gonna win again next year"

Preliminary Assessment:

This presents the most complex legal and ethical situation:

The relationship itself is not prohibited. Players are not forbidden from having personal relationships with players on other teams. The MLH has no morality clause regarding sexual orientation or relationships between consenting adults.

However, the circumstances raise serious questions:

1. Conflict of Interest: Did this relationship create situations where competitive integrity was compromised? Both are team captains with leadership responsibilities.

2. Team Loyalty Issues: Meeting privately hours before playoff games creates appearance problems at minimum.

3. Disclosure Obligations: Neither player disclosed this relationship to their respective organizations. Both signed standard player contracts with clauses about conflicts of interest.

4. Competitive Impact: Did this relationship influence any game outcomes, strategy discussions, or competitive decisions?

Critical Finding:

We have found no evidence of game manipulation or match-fixing in these communications. The communications are sexual and personal in nature. References to games appear to be flirtatious banter rather than coordination about outcomes.

However:

The optics are devastating. Two team captains in a secret relationship for 8+ years, meeting privately before competitive games, discussing games in sexual terms - even if innocent - creates appearance of impropriety that damages League integrity.

Unanswered Questions:

• Were any game-related decisions influenced by this relationship?
• Did either player ever share confidential team information with the other?
• Were teammates, coaches, or management aware?
• Did this relationship create any gambling vulnerabilities (i.e., could third parties have exploited knowledge of this relationship)?

Both players are closeted. Neither has publicly acknowledged being gay. The personal dimension of this case creates significant complications for any disciplinary proceeding.

V. CROSS-CLUSTER CONCERNS

Our investigation revealed troubling overlap between clusters:

• Victor St-Simon (Cluster 2 - gambling) is Ilya Rozanov's teammate. Did he have knowledge of Rozanov's relationship with Hollander? Could that knowledge have been exploited for betting purposes?

• Kevin Lee (Cluster 1) has significant DraftKings activity during the same period he was receiving insider injury information from Dr. Morrison.

• The FBI is investigating whether organized gambling networks had knowledge of the Rozanov/Hollander relationship and used it for blackmail or betting advantage.

VI. PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MARCH 21 MEETING

Immediate Actions:

1. Rozanov and Hollander should be placed on administrative leave immediately pending completion of investigation. While no evidence of match-fixing exists, the appearance of impropriety during active playoff race is untenable.

2. Webb, St-Simon, and Sullivan should be suspended indefinitely pending completion of criminal investigation. Evidence of gambling with insider information is clear.

3. Dr. McGraw and Kevin Lee should be placed on administrative leave. Evidence of improper information sharing is conclusive.

Meeting Objectives:

1. Present evidence to organizations
2. Provide opportunity for response
3. Discuss interim measures during investigation
4. Establish timeline for full investigation (estimated 4-6 weeks)
5. Address media/public relations strategy

Legal Considerations:

• Players' union will challenge any discipline based on stolen communications
• Criminal investigation may delay League proceedings
• Rozanov/Hollander situation involves privacy concerns around sexual orientation
• Public disclosure risks outing two closeted players

VII. TIMELINE FOR FULL INVESTIGATION

Weeks 1-2: Preliminary review, identification of subjects, initial interviews
Weeks 3-4: Complete interviews with all subjects, gather additional evidence
Weeks 5-6: Coordinate with FBI on criminal matters, prepare final report
Week 7: Final disciplinary recommendations to Commissioner

Critical Issue: Playoff race is ongoing. Any suspensions will materially impact competitive outcomes. Decision must be made whether integrity concerns outweigh competitive impact.

VIII. MEDIA CONSIDERATIONS

The League has successfully maintained confidentiality about specifics thus far. Press coverage has referenced "seven individuals" and "three clusters" but no names have been reported.

However:

• Benching Rozanov and Hollander will generate immediate media attention
• Both are star players and team captains
• Speculation will be intense
• Risk of leaks about nature of relationship is extremely high
• Coming out two closeted players through disciplinary proceeding would be unprecedented and ethically fraught

Recommendation: Coordinate with MLHPA and team counsel on confidential leave arrangements described as "personal matters" until investigation concludes.

Respectfully submitted,

Morrison & Klein LLP
Independent Investigators
March 20, 2019

CONFIDENTIAL MEETING NOTES

MLH Competitive Integrity Investigation

March 21, 2019 - 9:00 AM - 2:47 PM MLH Headquarters, New York

ATTENDEES:

• Commissioner Guy Powers
• Deputy Commissioner Bill Davies
• Morrison & Klein LLP (Independent Investigators)
• MLHPA Executive Director
• MLHPA Legal Counsel

TEAM REPRESENTATIVES:

Boston Raiders:

• Jeremy Jacobs (Principal Owner)
• Dan Sweeney (General Manager)
• Team Legal Counsel
• Ilya Rozanov + Personal Attorney (Michael Chen, Esq.)

Montreal Metros:

• Geoff Martin (Principal Owner)
• Marc Bergeron (General Manager)
• Team Legal Counsel
• Shane Hollander + Personal Attorney (Patricia Rosman, Esq.)

Philadelphia Flames:

• Dave Stevens (Principal Owner)
• Chuck Freeman(General Manager)
• Team Legal Counsel
• Marcus Webb + Personal Attorney
• Terry Sullivan + Personal Attorney

Los Angeles Monarchs:

• Philip Andrews (represented by Rob Barns, President)
• Team Legal Counsel
• Kevin Lee (Asst. GM) + Personal Attorney

[Additional individuals: Dr. Patricia McGraw (BOS), Victor St-Simon (BOS) - both with attorneys]

9:15 AM - OPENING REMARKS (Powers)

Commissioner opened by emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the situation. "The integrity of our league has been compromised not once but twice - first by criminal hackers, and potentially by individuals within our own organizations."

Noted that all proceedings are confidential and subject to CBA grievance procedures. Made clear that today is about presenting evidence and allowing response, not making final disciplinary decisions.

POWERS (direct quote): "What I'm about to show you is disturbing. Some of it is criminal. Some of it violates league rules. And some of it... some of it is just deeply problematic from an integrity standpoint even if it doesn't technically violate any written rule we have."

9:30 AM - CLUSTER ONE: ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION SHARING

Morrison & Klein presented evidence of communications between Dr. Patricia McGraw (BOS team physician) and Kevin Lee (LAM assistant GM).

KEY EVIDENCE PRESENTED:

• 47 separate instances of injury information sharing (2016-2019)
• 23 instances of lineup information shared before public announcement
• 12 instances of coaching strategy discussions

Morrison presented timeline showing Lee placed DraftKings bets totaling $127,000 during period when receiving injury information. Won approximately $89,000.

DR. MCGGRAW'S STATEMENT: They had been friends since medical school. She never thoughtthe information would be used for gambling. Would never intentionally compromise the team.

KEVIN LEE'S STATEMENT: Insisted bets were placed based on personal analysis. Calimed to only consider public information. [NOTE: This was obviously bullshit - the timeline makes it clear he was betting immediately after receiving info]

10:45 AM - CLUSTER TWO: GAMBLING NETWORK

Morrison & Klein presented evidence of coordinated gambling operation involving:

• Marcus Webb (PHI defenseman)
• Victor St-Simon (BOS defenseman)
• Terry Sullivan (PHI assistant equipment manager)
• 3 civilians (Webb's high school friends)

EVIDENCE PRESENTED:

Timeline showing 37 games over 2018-19 season where group had non-public information and placed bets:

• Injury information shared before public disclosure: 18 games
• Lineup information shared before announcement: 12 games
• Game-day illness/injury information: 7 games

Total amount bet: $347,000 Total winnings: $286,000 Net profit: $71,000 (after losses)

Text Message Exchange read into record:

February 3, 2019 - Webb to St-Simon: "Hammersmith is hurt worse than they are saying. Sits second half. Heard your backup goalie is starting?"/St-Simon to Webb: "Yea [sic] Coach told us this morning. Don't fucking tell anyone"

Both placed significant bets on that game. Both won.

FBI Involvement: Deputy Commissioner noted FBI is pursuing federal wire fraud charges: Webb, St-Simon, and co-conspirators. Sullivan is cooperating with federal authorities.

PROPOSED DISCIPLINE (preliminary):

• Webb: Lifetime ban from MLH (pending federal criminal case)
• St-Simon: Minimum 2-year suspension (pending federal criminal case)
• Sullivan: Termination, lifetime ban from employment with any MLH organization

12:30 PM - LUNCH BREAK

[NOTE: Sweeney to Jacobs "this is going to destroy us" while grabbing sandwiches off side table.]

1:15 PM - CLUSTER THREE: ROZANOV/HOLLANDER

Since early morning, Ilya had been sequestered with his lawyer in a small conference room a few floors below the main meeting. Suited up like for a press scrum. The Boston front office had been in with the League heads from the beginning, hearing in excruciating detail how his teammates had also fucked up. There was a knock on the door, then a young man led them to the elevator, rode with them all the way to the conference room doors. Even held it open for Ilya, who nodded in thanks. 

The air in the room changed when they came in. Ilya could feel it, something tighter, more careful. People weren't looking at each other the normal way. Powers stood at the end of a long conference room table with his hands clasped. There was Boston's headoffice on one side, Montreal's on the other. The table was lined by men and women in grey suits. Blank faces, sallow. For a long moment, Powers looked over the assembly. Ilya, getting into his seat; Shane across the table, pale. They all waited for the doors to close softly. 

"What we are about to discuss is... complicated," Powers said finally. His voice was measured, almost gentle. "There is no evidence of match-fixing. There is no evidence of gambling. There is no evidence of criminal activity. But there is a situation that creates serious questions about conflict of interest and the appearance of impropriety." Powers took a seat at the top of the table, closest to the projector screen. The words MORRISON & KLEIN followed by MLH Competitive Integrity Investigation - March 12, 2019 Data Breach: CLUSTER THREE: Player Communications - Rozanov/Hollander were displayed overhead. 

Ilya's stomach dropped. Beside him, his attorney shifted in his seat.

Morrison from the investigation firm stood and clicked something on her laptop, saying as she did, "My name is Savannah Morrison of Morrison & Klein. I'm joined today by my colleagues in data analytics and cyber analysis, John Klein and Benjamin Waters." The screen at the front of the room lit up with a timeline with little context. Dates. Cities. Ilya recognized some of them immediately. All-Star weekend 2011. Playoffs 2014. March 2017. She didn't say anything for a moment. 

Powers was impatient. "The two of you have been in a sexual relationship for approximately eight years." He wasn't looking at the screen. He was looking at them. "Neither of you disclosed this relationship to your respective organizations." He pointed aggressively at the table top, emphasising for each point, "You've met privately before games; before playoff games. You've communicated about games. You did so using sexually charged language. You're both team captains."

The room went completely silent. Someone on the Montreal side dropped a pen. 

Ilya couldn't look at Shane. Couldn't look at anyone. His hands were pressed flat against the table, palms sweating. His attorney leaned close and whispered something. Ilya didn't hear it and waved him away. There was a ringing in his ears that wouldn't stop.

Waters cleared his throat and loudly sipped some water. Morrison clicked to the next slide. Text messages. His text messages. The ones he'd sent from his phone, from hotel rooms, from his car in traffic. Private things. Things he'd only meant for Shane to see.

"Before I continue," Morrison said, "I want to clarify the scope of our evidence. Mr. Ilya Rozanov's phone information was part of the March 12th data breach. During our initial scan of the compromised data, we identified an anomalous contact saved in Mr. Rozanov's phone as 'Jane.' The metadata associated with this contact showed an unusual frequency of communication over the past eight years, with an exponential increase in volume."

Klein said. "As with all flagged numbers, we first cross-referenced this contact against MLH personnel records: players, staff, and affiliated personnel across all thirty-one teams. The result was..." he coughed, "unexpected." Coughed again. "It matched for Mr. Shane Hollander's personal cell phone, registered with the Montreal Metros."

Ilya's chest tightened. Jane. He'd thought he was being so fucking clever.

Morrison clicked to the next slide. The words were plan text on a white background, his name and Hollander. These people didn't even bother to run interference. It looked ugly up there, cheap. 

March 2017

Rozanov: Come over?
Hollander: I can't! Don't be stupid.
Rozanov: Come over. Not for long. An hour?
Hollander: No. Come on. We both know that's a bad idea.
Rozanov: Everything we do is a bad idea. Come over.

Morrison's voice was clinical as she read them aloud. "This exchange took place on March fourteenth, 2017. That afternoon, before a playoff game between Boston and Montreal. Mr. Rozanov's location data shows he was at his residence. Montreal's team itinerary indicated they were in Boston that morning, with optional practice at 11 AM and no required team activities after 2 PM. The game started at 7 PM that evening. Montreal won three to two."

Ilya finally looked across the table. Shane was staring at the screen, face pale, jaw clenched so hard Ilya could see the muscle jumping. His attorney, Rosman, had a hand on his arm, whispering. He nodded as she spoke.

"To be absolutely clear," Morrison continued, "we have found no evidence that either player threw games, shared strategic information, or otherwise compromised competitive outcomes. The communications are romantic and sexual in nature. However, the appearance of conflict of interest is undeniable."

She clicked to the next slide. A spreadsheet. Dates, locations, game results.

"Our analysis identified forty-seven instances between 2011 and 2019 where the players appear to have been in contact within seventy-two hours of competing against each other, based on Mr. Rozanov's communications. Twelve of these contacts occurred within twenty-four hours of game time. The rest occurred on game day itself, including the March 2017 playoff game I just referenced." Morrison paused, let that sink in. "We cross-referenced these meetings with game performance data. There is no statistical anomaly in either player's performance during these games. Mr. Rozanov's points-per-game average in games following contact with Mr. Hollander is actually slightly higher than his season average—1.2 versus 1.1. Mr. Hollander's is consistent at 0.9. Neither player shows any pattern of underperformance that would suggest intentional compromise."

Ilya's hands were shaking. He pressed them harder against the table.

"However," Morrison continued, "both players failed to disclose a relationship that created clear conflicts of interest. Boston's standard player contract, Section 12, Paragraph 4, requires players to disclose any relationship with personnel from competing organizations that could create an appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest. Montreal's contract contains nearly identical language."

She clicked again. Contract excerpts filled the screen.

"Both organizations require annual conflict-of-interest disclosure forms. Mr. Rozanov signed these forms in 2012, 2013," as she spoke the signature page for each year appeared for both of them, overlapping in chronological order, "2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, each time indicating no conflicts to report. Based on information provided by Montreal, Mr. Hollander did the same for the Metros in those same years."

Bergeron from Montreal was leaning forward, reading the screen. His face had gone red.

Klien added, relentlessly. "Additionally, both organizations provided us with routine documentation that, in isolation, appeared unremarkable. But when cross-referenced with the communications data, several red flags emerge."

She clicked to a new slide. "In February 2011, early in both players' careers, Boston traveled to Montreal for a road game. The team stayed at a hotel. Phone records show that Mr. Hollander charged a room at the same hotel, despite living in Montreal at the time."

She pulled up messages from that night:

February 2011

Hollander: 1822
Rozanov: ?
Hollander: Room number
Rozanov: OK... where is the room?
Hollander: Same hotel you're in
Rozanov: See you soon

"Mr. Hollander booked and paid for a hotel room in his own city, at the same property where a visiting team was staying," Morrison said. "The pattern of deliberate concealment begins here, in their rookie season."

Ilya remembered that night. The nervousness. Shane's hands shaking when he opened the door. Everything that came after.

Morrison clicked again. "We also identified minor anomalies in hotel records. Mr. Hollander was charged with smoking fines at in 2017 in Tampa during All-Star weekend. Total fine: $500. This is unremarkable on its own; except Mr. Hollander does not smoke. He was charged with smoking fines on a number of other occasions in Boston from 2012 through 2014.  These coincided with his team being in Boston."

There was a wounded hunch to Shane's shoulders. Ilya accidentally caught a Metro counsellor's eye, saw the moment the man across the table realize that smoking meant fucking; that every fine was evidence Rozanov was in the room with their franchise hope. Morrison didn't read anything else aloud, just moved on. Ilya felt a small mercy in that. Sweeney from Boston looked like he wanted to put his fist through something.

She clicked to another slide. Text messages.

March 2014

Rozanov: 2886 beacon
Hollander: What's that
Rozanov: A place where you can get what you want
Hollander: What' do I want
Rozanov: [.img]

"2886 Beacon Street is Mr. Rozanov's residence in Boston," Waters said.

Ilya wanted to sink through the floor. Jacobs from Boston was writing something down, his face grim. Ilya watched the pulse throbbing at Sweeney's temple.

"We're almost done," Morrison said. "In March 2017, following the death of Mr. Rozanov's father, the team granted bereavement leave." Her voice stayed even. "Mr. Rozanov indicated during an informal discussion with Boston staff that he received emotional support from a friend during a difficult time, and so declined team-sponsored grief counselling."

Shane made a sound; small, choked. Ilya couldn't look at him.

Morrison pulled up more texts. Not the sexual ones this time. The other kind. The ones that made it worse somehow.

March 2017

Rozanov: Are you alone?
Hollander: Yes
Rozanov: Can I call you?
Hollander: Yes

"This was sent the evening of Mr. Rozanov's father's funeral," Morrison said. "Call records show a twenty-five-minute conversation. The following day, Mr. Hollander called Mr. Rozanov. Ten minutes. Two days later, they connected via video call on another computer program."

"Later that same month," Klien said, "Mr. Hollander sustained a concussion and fractured collarbone in a game against Boston. He was hospitalized overnight for observation. Hospital visitor logs, provided by Montreal's medical staff, show team personnel and immediate family visited." There was an image of the log, a name digitally highlighted in yellow. "So did Mr. Rozanov."

Morrison set side her notes. "The pattern of deliberate concealment is extensive. The use of a fake contact name 'Jane' to avoid detection. The hotel room booked in Mr. Hollander's own city to facilitate a private meeting. This is a pattern of emotional intimacy and mutual collaberation that goes beyond a casual friendship. Both players have stated they were ‘not friends' in media interviews over the years. Mr. Rozanov told Boston media in 2016 that he was single and not dating anyone. Mr. Hollander told Montreal media in 2017 that he was publicly dating Rose Landry."

Shane flinched at the name. Ilya remembered the photos of Shane with her, smiling for cameras; the strobe-flash image of them pressed together at a club. The sick feeling in his stomach, the wet glam of Shane's eyes in the dark. The relief when it ended. When they were in Tampa, watching the sunset. Later, the cottage, the cooler sun on his skin. The light fracturing across the water.  

"Both players failed to disclose this relationship despite multiple opportunities and contractual obligations to do so," Morrison said. "The question before this committee is whether that failure constitutes a breach of their fiduciary duties to their respective teams and the league."

She clicked to a new slide. More analysis. Charts showing communication frequency over time, color-coded by type. Blue for calls, green for texts, red for in-person meetings inferred from the data. The red dots clustered around All-Star breaks, playoff dates; in summer months, the flood of green; blue swelling with time. The obvious solid red block in the summer of 2017; accusatory. A longer stretch in 2018, a few days at the end of November. They probably cross-referenced Ilya's phone location with the damned ESPN documentary. 

"One additional concern," Waters said carefully. "Both players are..." This was the first time any of them presenting seemed unsure. He looked at his colleague, moved a few notes around, "closeted. Neither has publicly acknowledged being, uh, gay. This created a vulnerability that could potentially be exploited by third parties."

Davies spoke up. "Has there been any evidence that third parties were aware of the relationship? Any indication of blackmail, coercion, or attempts to leverage knowledge of the relationship for betting purposes or other advantages?"

"Not that we've found," Morrison said, back on solid ground. "But we haven't completed all our interviews yet. Victor St-Simon is Mr. Rozanov's teammate in Boston. He's also part of the gambling network. If he had knowledge of the relationship, that creates additional exposure."

Ilya's stomach turned. Victor. Jesus Christ, if Victor was told…

"We have no evidence St-Simon was aware," Klein clarified. "But the overlap is concerning enough to warrant further investigation. The pattern with St-Simon shows how non-public information can be exploited. If he or anyone else had knowledge of this relationship, it could theoretically have been used for betting purposes; compromising a player through blackmail, for instance."

Powers finally spoke. "Let me be absolutely clear about the league's position. Sexual orientation is a protected category under the law. This is not about the fact that both players are," he paused for a long moment, "gay." Shane snorted a laugh, which threw Powers even more. Powers continued. "This is not about the existence of a relationship between consenting adults. What this is about is disclosure. This is a conflict of interest; we are flirting with impropriety here." He looked from Ilya to Shane. "Gentlemen, I believe you when you say you didn't fix games. The statistical analysis supports that. But you put yourselves in situations where you could have been compromised. You created scenarios where the integrity of competition could be questioned. And as captains, you had a responsibility, not just to your teams but to the league, to avoid this."

Morrison pulled up one final slide. A list of dates. Games where they'd played against each other correlated with their communications.

"As an illustration: March 2017 playoff game, the one where communications and location data suggest contact occurred hours before the game. Montreal won three to two. Mr. Hollander scored the game-winning goal."

Ilya remembered that game. Remembered Shane's celly, the way he'd crashed into the boards after, grinning like a maniac. Remembered going home alone to an empty house and feeling proud of him, even in the loss.

"November 2014, regular season. Boston won five to three. Mr. Rozanov had two goals and an assist. Again, there's no evidence of compromise in the games themselves. Both players performed at or above their normal levels. But the optics are devastating. Two team captains in a secret relationship for eight years, meeting privately before competitive games, discussing games in sexual terms, even if innocent, creates an appearance of impropriety that damages league integrity. However, there is little further that needs to be investigated in this case." She closed her laptop. "This is strictly an internal League matter. Our disciplinary recommendation, for consideration, is that both players receive twenty-game suspensions to start the 2019-2020 season, mandatory ethics training, and disclosure requirements for any future relationships that could create conflicts. Both teams could face fines for failure to detect breach of disclosure requirements under existing protocols."

There were immediate protests from both sides of the table. 

Powers waved down the discord. "It's only... this is only a recommendation. A conversation at this stage. First, please, Mr. Rozanov, Mr. Hollander. I'd like to give you both an opportunity to respond."

Ilya's attorney started to say something, but Ilya cut him off. "I want to speak."

"Ilya…” his attorney tried.

"No." Ilya's voice came out rough. He cleared his throat. Forced himself to look at Powers instead of the screen, instead of Shane. "Shane and I... we've been together for a long time. We never shared information about our teams. We never did anything to compromise this. Shane loves hockey, loves it. And we are... we just... we're together.." Ilya's voice cracked. He swallowed hard. He wasn't actually upset or afraid. It was a different feeling, some strange mix of guilt and adoration. He loved the man sitting across from him. It was easy to look at Shane, to say, "I love you," to the room, "We love each other. That's all this is."

The silence after was worse than the one before. Ilya could see people looking away, down at their papers, at their phones. Uncomfortable. Pitying. He hated it.

Across the table, Shane was barely holding it together. His hands were shaking as they gripped the edge of the table. Ducked his head between his arms to take a few deep, bracing breaths. Ilya wished he could touch him. Shane shook his head and then sat up. Adjusted his tie. When Shane spoke, his voice was calm. Media trained. 

"We've never compromised a game," Shane said. Despite the even tone each word looked like it cost him something. "I understand why this looks bad. I understand the... appearance problem. Nothing we did impacted the competition. Every time we step on the ice - every time we play against each other, we're trying to win. Win for our teams, our boys. Hockey is not a selfish sport. The relationship is separate. We kept it separate."

Powers leaned forward. "Why didn't you disclose this relationship to your teams?"

Shane looked at Ilya for the first time since the meeting started. Just for a second. Something passed between them that Ilya couldn't name.

"Because we're not out," Ilya interjected. His voice was steadier now. "We don’t have to be out to play hockey."

"Did you ever discuss strategy, injuries, or team information with each other?" Powers asked.

"No," Shane said immediately. "Never."

"You met hours before playoff games," Powers said. "How can you say that didn't affect competition?"

Ilya's hands clenched. "We saw each other because we wanted to see each other. The timing was, um, not good, yes. But we didn't do anything to affect the games."

"Did anyone else know about this relationship?"

"No," Ilya said, while Shane admitted, "My parents, since the 2017 off-season."

"Yes," Ilya agreed. "They do know."

Morrison spoke up again. "One thing I want to emphasize: we did look for patterns of underperformance, suspicious betting activity connected to either player, any indication that the relationship was leveraged for competitive advantage. I want to be absoluly clear.  We found nothing. Both players appear to have maintained professional boundaries when it came to actual competition. The issue is purely the failure to disclose a relationship that created conflicts of interest and the appearance of impropriety."

"We knew people wouldn't understand," Ilya said. His voice was tight. "We knew it would look," he cast for a word, "inappropriate. That's why we kept it private."

"The secrecy itself is part of the problem," Morrison said. "If the relationship had been disclosed, appropriate safeguards could have been put in place. Restrictions on contact before games. Oversight. Transparency. Instead, both players made a conscious choice to hide it, which suggests they understood it was problematic."

Bergeron from Montreal spoke up, his voice hard. "Shane signed conflict-of-interest forms every year. Every single year. Are you telling me he lied on those forms?"

"None of us are lawyers." Waters said. "The forms ask specifically about relationships with personnel from competing organizations that could create appearance of impropriety. Mr. Hollander indicated 'none' on every form from 2012 to 2018."

"Jesus Christ," Bergeron muttered.

Sweeney from Boston looked equally furious. "Same with Rozanov. Every goddamn year. And we have all this shit sitting in our files and none of us connected the dots because we had no reason to think our captain was lying."

"That's the breach of trust," Klien said. "Not the relationship itself, but the active concealment and the false statements on mandatory disclosure forms."

The MLHPA counsel, Kahn, shook his head at that point. "You're disciplining two players for having a relationship. This is discrimination based on sexual orientation. If these were two straight players dating women from different teams, we wouldn't be here."

"If two straight players were meeting privately hours before playoff games against each other," Powers said evenly, "yes, we would be here. This is about conflict of interest, not sexual orientation. If Huff was secretly dating Matheson's sister and they were meeting hours before Admiral-Nomad games without disclosing it, we'd have the exact same conversation."

"I doubt that," Kahn said."Even so, one difference with your hypothetical is the lack of actual risk. These players were in an impossible position."

"They had options," Morrison said. "Confidential disclosure to their teams. Private meetings with league HR to discuss appropriate safeguards. Instead, they chose complete secrecy and active concealment."

"We will grieve any discipline," the MLHPA counsel said. "This was a private relationship exposed through criminal activity."

"We'll see what the arbitrator says," Powers replied.

Jacobs from Boston spoke next, his voice controlled but cold. "We did not know about any relationship. Rozanov has been a model captain and player. If the league believes, after serious consideration, discipline is warranted, we'll comply. I can speak for our franchise when I say we don't believe at this time his integrity as a competitor should be questioned."

Bergeron from Montreal nodded, his jaw tight. "Hollander has been everything we could ask for in a captain. This is clearly a personal matter... We support him completely." His tone suggested otherwise. He wasn't happy, but the recommendation of a twenty-game suspension looked like it had rattled him. "That said," Bergeron continued, "the false statements... we'll be conducting our own internal review."

Ilya could hear the PR machinery grinding already. Damage control. Protecting the brand. Shane looked at him, smiled a little. Ilya was helpless and had to smile back. 

2:30 PM - CLOSING REMARKS

POWERS: "Here's where we are. But we have to address these matters. The integrity of the game demands it.

All of you are bound by confidentiality. If any of this leaks before we make official announcements, there will be severe consequences. We need to coordinate how this information becomes public.

Preliminary discipline decisions will be issued within 72 hours. Final determinations will follow completion of interviews and any appeals processes. I want to thank you again for your time."

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER DAVIES: "The FBI investigation is ongoing. Anyone receiving a subpoena should cooperate fully. This is a federal criminal matter now."

MEETING ADJOURNED: 2:47 PM

These notes represent one attendee's recollection and may not be 100% accurate. Some quotes paraphrased. Meeting was not officially recorded per CBA requirements.

The New York Times

MLH Holds Marathon Meeting on Data Breach Fallout

By Ken Belson
March 21, 2019

NEW YORK — The MLH convened a six-hour emergency meeting Friday at league headquarters as Commissioner Guy Powers and independent investigators presented findings related to the March 12th data breach that compromised communications of multiple MLH personnel.

The session brought together representatives from at least four teams, Boston, Montreal, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, along with players, team executives, and MLHPA leadership. Among those in attendance were star players Ilya Rozanov of Boston and Shane Hollander of Montreal, both accompanied by personal attorneys.

When the meeting concluded at 2:47 PM, those exiting appeared shaken. Players and staff left through a back entrance, visibly distressed.

As team representatives filed out, Boston owner Jim Bob Jacobs could be heard asking his general manager Don Sweeney, "How the fuck did we not know about any of this?" Montreal's Marc Bergeron was overheard instructing team counsel to "pull every disclosure form" for review.

Commissioner Powers departed without addressing reporters waiting outside. When approached, MLHPA counsel said only, "No comment at this time."

The league said preliminary disciplinary decisions would be issued within 72 hours, with final determinations pending completion of interviews and appeals processes.

The FBI investigation into the data breach and related criminal matters remains ongoing.

Chapter End Notes

Had to admit the timeline got me cross-eyed with the texts and the events; forgive me any errors.

Chapter 4

Chapter Notes

SULLY SPORTS BAR PODCAST "LIVE: Emergency Pod: What the Hell Just Happened?" Episode 287 - March 20, 2019, 11:03 PM

Hosts: Danny Sullivan & Mike "Sully" O'Brien Recording
Location: McGreevy's Bar, Boston

[INTRO MUSIC]

DANNY: Alright, alright, we're live. Jesus Christ. Thank you McGreevy's Bar, because we were not going to wait to get back to…

SULLY: What a fucking disaster -

DANNY: We are recording [crash in background] this emergency episode at like eleven at night because what the actual fuck just happened to our hockey team.

SULLY: 4-1. We lost 4-1 to Carolina and we looked like a goddamn morons out there.

DANNY: We are live, we are so life, anyone tuning in… few hours before puck drop, the team announces Ilya Rozanov is out for "personal reasons."

SULLY: Personal reasons. That's it. That's all we get.

DANNY: And then we find out Shane Hollander in Montreal is also scratched. Captain Canuck. Same night, same exact wording. "Personal matter."

SULLY: But that’s not all!

DANNY: Victor St-Simon is also out for us… Vic also out on a "personal matter." Buddy told me, haven’t checked Marcus Webb in Philly got scratched too. [clatter of phone on table]. Yep, officially fucking fucked.

SULLY: Four players across three teams with the exact same vague-ass explanation. That doesn't happen by accident.

DANNY: Let me just say what everyone's thinking gambling data investigation. It has to be.

SULLY: One hundred percent. There's no other explanation that makes sense.

DANNY: Globe reported last week that the MLH is investigating seven people from four teams. Boston was one of those teams. Breaking news, headline: Raders, RedSox; thundering heard of morons. I have the quote: "Competitive integrity concerns".

SULLY: Which everyone knows means match-fixing.

DANNY: The league won't confirm that, but yeah. And now they scratch Roz and Vic the other guys on the same night? Come on.

SULLY: Plus, cherry on top - actual game was a shitshow.

DANNY: Oh my god, we were terrible. Twenty shots total. TWENTY. U17s do it better.

SULLY: The penalty kill was a disaster. [gaging sound] Roz is our best penalty killer and without him, Carolina went 2-for-4 on the power play.

DANNY: No creativity, no one driving the net. Marlow tried to step up but nobody can replace what Roz does for this team.

SULLY: We're three weeks from playoffs and we just lost our captain.

DANNY: And if he's out for any length of time, we're fucked.

SULLY: Twitter is losing its mind. Let me see… just the first one… [robotically] @RaidersFanatic: "If Roz is involved in match-fixing I'm burning my jersey."

DANNY: Ok, but we don't know it's match-fixing – and burning Roz’s jersey? Your own fucking team? Come on, don’t be stupid. Don’t go on the internet and tell dumb lies.

SULLY: So fucking stupid. What did LeClaire say in the post-game?

DANNY: Oh, he was pissed. Someone asked if this was related to the MLH investigation and he said "I'm not at liberty to discuss League matters."

SULLY: "Not at liberty"… that's League-speak for "they told me I can't say shit."

DANNY: And when they asked if Roz would be back Friday against Toronto, he said [lound clatter] he said, "I don't have that information at this time."

SULLY: [sigh] No! Damn it. If Roz’s mom was sick or something, LeClaire’d say "we hope to have him back soon." Or something. "I don't have that information" means the league has him on ice.

DANNY: Someone I know who works at the Garden texted me.. hold on. [phone beeps] Shit, league called some kind of emergency meeting in New York. Like, ownership and GMs, coaches were gossiping after the game.

SULLY: When are they going to New York?

DANNY: I’m asking. [pause] Could be as early as next week. He said the team's in crisis mode.

SULLY: That would explain why they couldn't wait. League wanted them off the ice before whatever gets discussed.

DANNY: Means this is serious enough that they couldn't let them keep playing.

SULLY: Here's what kills me… Roz? Really? The guy who plays like his life depends on it every night? The guy who took us to a Cup win? Second youngest captain in Boston history? That guy is fixing games?

DANNY: I don't want to believe it either…

SULLY: But something is going on.

SULLY: @MLHInsider just tweeted: "League sources tell me meetings in New York coming soon with teams involved in investigation. Expect significant developments." Your guy was faster.

DANNY: My guy is always faster. Why he’s got such a problem with the ladies.

SULLY: When do we actually find out what happened?

DANNY: Could be weeks, could be months. These investigations take forever. League is gonna be super careful about what they say publicly.

SULLY: And the conspiracy theories are gonna get insane. People are already analyzing every game he's ever played looking for signs.

DANNY: I saw that Tweet about the Philly game in January. Someone's saying Roz played unusually badly and we were favored but lost.

SULLY: He had the flu that game! He was clearly sick!

DANNY: But now everything is suspicious. Every bad game, every mistake… was that on purpose?"

SULLY: His and Vic - whole career is gonna be re-examined.

DANNY: Montreal fans are losing their minds too. Half think Hollander's injured and the team is lying, which, what the fuck? Half think he's part of the investigation.

SULLY: Oh, to be as delusional as Canadian hockey fans. Every hockey outlet is gonna be all over this. [pause] This sucks.

DANNY: It really does.

SULLY: I've been a Raiders fan my whole life. My dad took me to my first game when I was six. And Roz has been the face of this franchise for almost a decade.

DANNY: I know.

SULLY: And now this. Whatever this is.

DANNY: Alright, we should wrap up. What are we watching for?

SULLY: Friday's game against Toronto. See if anyone's back. I'm guessing not. Fuck.

DANNY: Any official statements from the league.

SULLY: And Twitter.

DANNY: Final thoughts?

SULLY: I just hope this isn't what it looks like. I hope there's an explanation that doesn't involve Roz ruining his career. Because he's been so good for this team and this city.

DANNY: Same. But we gotta prepare ourselves.

SULLY: Gotta tell my ma to start praying.

DANNY: Amen, brother. If anything major breaks overnight, we'll do another emergency pod.

SULLY: You might. I’m just gonna keep drinking. Follow us @SULLYSPORTSBARPOD on Twitter for updates. That’s S-U-L-L-Y, Sully, comments to SULLYSPORTSBARPOD@gmail.com. Thanks to everyone in the chat.

DANNY: Get some sleep, everyone.

SULLY: Go Raiders.

DANNY: Go Raiders.

[OUTRO MUSIC]

The Sports Data Breach and the Use of Stolen Communications

Harrington, Cole & Whitman LLP
Cleaveland Columbus Cincinnati  Toledo  Akron

March 27, 2019

The mass disclosure of private communications affecting thousands of professional and collegiate athletes has forced leagues, universities, and employers to confront a legal question that courts have encountered before but never at this scale. When private data is obtained through criminal hacking and released into the public domain, to what extent may institutions rely on that information when making disciplinary or employment decisions?

The law does not offer a simple answer. Prior incidents involving large-scale data leaks, most notably the Ashley Madison breach and the unauthorized access to iCloud accounts belonging to public figures, provide a framework, but not a bright-line rule.

Courts addressing the Ashley Madison litigation consistently rejected the argument that unlawfully obtained data is automatically unusable. The exclusionary rule, grounded in the Fourth Amendment, limits government misconduct. It does not generally apply to private actors, nor does it prohibit employers or other institutions from reacting to information that becomes public through criminal activity they did not cause. That principle has been reaffirmed repeatedly, including in cases involving leaked emails, photographs, and text messages originating from compromised cloud accounts.

At the same time, courts have been reluctant to allow hacked material to serve as the sole basis for serious sanctions. In both Ashley Madison–related cases and disputes arising from the iCloud photo leak, judges emphasized concerns about authenticity, completeness, and context. Once data passes through criminal hands, traditional assumptions about reliability no longer apply. Courts have required corroboration through independent testimony, admissions, or external records before giving such material significant weight.

Those concerns are directly implicated in the current sports breach. Leagues and universities did not participate in the intrusion, but reliance on leaked communications still carries legal risk. Where institutions treat hacked messages as definitive proof rather than as a prompt for further inquiry, they invite challenges based on contractual rights, due process, and fundamental fairness.

Criminal prosecutors face even sharper limits. While leaked data may inform investigations, courts have historically required that criminal charges rest on lawfully obtained evidence. In prior breach-related prosecutions, hacked communications were often admissible only to explain how an investigation began, not to establish guilt on their own. The same constraints are likely to shape any criminal cases arising from this incident.

The most unsettled ground involves private discipline, particularly in educational settings. Universities receiving federal funding are often obligated to investigate allegations of misconduct once they become aware of them, regardless of how the information surfaced. Yet those obligations do not eliminate the requirement of a fair process. Courts reviewing student discipline have repeatedly cautioned against sanctions imposed without adequate notice, opportunity to respond, or reliable evidentiary support.

The lesson from earlier data breaches is not that institutions are powerless, nor that hacked material must be ignored. It is that courts expect restraint. Decisions driven by leaked data alone, especially where the conduct is offensive but lawful, are far more likely to be scrutinized than those grounded in verified facts and established procedures.

As the legal fallout from this breach continues to unfold, institutions that proceed carefully, document their reasoning, and avoid treating stolen communications as self-proving evidence will be in the strongest position to defend their actions.

CONFIDENTIAL TRANSCRIPT

MLHPA Virtual Meeting - Rozanov/Hollander Matter

Date: March 24, 2019 (Monday)
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Platform: Secure Teams Meeting

ATTENDEES:

• Donald Fehr, MLHPA Executive Director
• Roman Kahn, MLHPA Legal Counsel
• Ilya Rozanov (BOS)
• Michael Chen, Esq. (Rozanov's personal attorney)
• Shane Hollander (MTL)
• Patricia Rosman, Esq. (Hollander's personal attorney)

[7:03 PM - Meeting begins]

FEHR: Alright, everyone's on? Good. First, let me say this conversation is protected by attorney-client privilege and union representation privilege. Nothing said here leaves this call unless we all agree. Ilya, Shane: how are you both holding up?

ROZANOV: [pause] I've been better.

HOLLANDER: Fine. We're fine.

FEHR: I can imagine Friday was hell. I want you both to understand something from the start: the MLHPA's job is to protect you. Not the league, not the teams - You. What happened Friday was the league trying to protect itself. That's what they do. Our job is different.

KAHN: Before we get into strategy, I want to level-set on what we're actually dealing with here legally. The league is going to frame this as a conflict of interest issue, breach of contract, failure to disclose. But let's be very clear about what they don't have.

ROSMAN: Thank you. I was going to say the same thing.

KAHN: They have no evidence of match-fixing. None. They have no evidence of gambling. No evidence of sharing strategic information. No evidence either of you ever compromised a game. Their own investigators said as much. Morrison was very clear on that point. The statistical analysis actually shows you both performed better in games against each other.

CHEN: That's the critical point. There's no competitive integrity violation in substance. Only in appearance.

FEHR: Right. So what they're left with is essentially a disclosure violation. You didn't check a box on a form. That's it.

HOLLANDER: It wasn't just a form though, was it? We lied. Every year. We knew what we were doing.

ROSMAN: Shane -

HOLLANDER: No, I'm not... I'm just saying we can't pretend we didn't know the forms existed.

KAHN: The forms ask about relationships that could create an "appearance of impropriety." That language is incredibly vague and subjective. What creates an appearance of impropriety? Is it any friendship between players on different teams? Is it family relationships? Where's the line?

CHEN: And more importantly, why does a personal relationship between two players create any appearance of impropriety at all? The assumption baked into that question is that the relationship itself is problematic. Which brings us directly into discrimination territory.

FEHR: Exactly. Roman, walk them through the legal landscape here.

KAHN: Sure. So, there are basically three frameworks we're operating under. First, the CBA. Second, the individual player contracts, which incorporate the Standard Player Contract. Third, applicable employment and human rights law, which varies by jurisdiction. Shane, you're in Quebec, which has some of the strongest protections in North America for this. Ilya, you're in Massachusetts, which also has robust anti-discrimination laws.

ROSMAN: Quebec's Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms explicitly protects sexual orientation. Any discipline that's predicated on the existence of a same-sex relationship is going to be a problem under provincial law.

CHEN: Massachusetts has similar protections under state law. The question becomes whether the MLH can argue this is about disclosure, not orientation.

KAHN: Right, and that's exactly what they're going to argue. They'll say, "We don't care that they're gay, we care that they didn't disclose a conflict of interest." But here's the problem with that argument: would they discipline two straight players for dating someone from another team and not disclosing it? Have they ever?

FEHR: Have they ever even asked straight players to disclose romantic relationships?

KAHN: Not that I'm aware of. The disclosure forms are meant for financial conflicts - business relationships, endorsements, outside employment. Not personal relationships.

HOLLANDER: But the form does say "relationships with personnel from competing organizations."

ROSMAN: It says relationships that create an appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest. The question is whether a romantic relationship between two players actually creates that. I would argue it doesn't. Players are friendly with players on other teams all the time. They train together in the summer, they socialize, they're at the same events. Jan Erickson and Nils Walter are close friends; no one's asking Erickson to disclose that.

CHEN: The difference the league will point to is the nature of the relationship. Romantic versus platonic.

ROSMAN: Why should that matter if there's no competitive impact? If anything, the evidence shows these two were more competitive against each other, not less.

ROZANOV: We were. Every time we played each other, I wanted to beat him so badly. More than anyone else.

HOLLANDER: [quiet laugh] Yeah. Same.

FEHR: The problem is the optics Morrison kept harping on. Meeting before playoff games, the hotel room situation, the texts. The league is going to say, "Even if nothing actually happened, it looks bad."

KAHN: Optics are not a basis for discipline under the CBA. Article 18, Section 18.1: discipline must be for "just cause." The league has to prove either a violation of a specific rule or conduct detrimental to the league. Let's take those in turn.

CHEN: The disclosure form is the specific rule they're hanging their hat on.

KAHN: Correct. But the disclosure form language is vague, it's never been enforced this way before, and it's being applied in a discriminatory manner. No straight player has ever been disciplined for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with someone from another team.

FEHR: And "conduct detrimental to the league" requires actual harm to the league's interests. What's the harm here? Their own investigation found no competitive impact.

ROSMAN: The harm they're going to argue is reputational. "This makes the league look bad." But that's circular reasoning… the only reason it looks bad is because of societal prejudice against same-sex relationships.

HOLLANDER: It does look bad though. I mean, I get what you're saying legally, but… come on. Two captains secretly together for eight years, lying about it, meeting before games? People are going to think we were throwing games.

KAHN: Let them think whatever they want. The evidence proves otherwise. Our job isn't to manage public perception. That's the league's PR problem. Our job is to defend you against unjust discipline.

CHEN: Shane, I understand the instinct to accept some responsibility here. But we need to be strategic. The league is going to try to make you feel like you did something wrong so you'll accept discipline quietly. That's what Powers was doing in that room. He was working on making you feel guilty.

ROZANOV: It worked.

FEHR: Of course it worked. That's the playbook. Make the players feel like they brought this on themselves, get them to accept punishment without a fight, avoid an arbitration that might go badly for the league. We've seen this a hundred times.

ROSMAN: Don, what's your read on the twenty-game suspension recommendation?

FEHR: It's a starting position. They're hoping you'll negotiate down to ten and accept it quietly. But here's what I think: we shouldn't accept any games at all.

HOLLANDER: Really?

FEHR: Really. Let me explain the league's position here. They're terrified. They've got a gambling scandal with criminal exposure. Webb and St-Simon are probably going to federal prison. They've got an equipment manager cooperating with the FBI. They've got a team doctor and an assistant GM who were sharing insider information. That's a disaster. Then on top of all that, they've got two star players in a secret relationship, and those players happen to be closeted. And this is only what we are aware of that they have chosen to make known. Considering the scope of impact across the Big Four and chatter, we can safely assume there is more to come. 

KAHN: The league is stuck. If they do nothing, it looks like they're not taking integrity seriously. If they come down hard on you two, it looks like they're punishing you for being gay while actual criminals get due process.

CHEN: Plus, if they suspend you and we grieve it, this goes to arbitration. Discovery, testimony, the whole thing becomes public. Your relationship becomes public in the worst possible way, in the context of a disciplinary hearing.

ROZANOV: It's going to become public anyway.

FEHR: Maybe. Maybe not. That's something we need to discuss. But even if it does, there's a difference between you two controlling that narrative versus the league forcing you out through a disciplinary process.

ROSMAN: The league knows that an arbitration hearing would be a nightmare for them. The optics of the MLH putting two gay players on trial for being in a relationship? In 2019? Come on.

HOLLANDER: But they're not putting us on trial for being gay. They're putting us on trial for not disclosing a conflict of interest.

KAHN: That's the fig leaf, Shane. No arbitrator is going to ignore the context. The only reason this is even an issue is because you're both men. If you were straight, no one would care.

CHEN: I want to push back on the premise of "conflict of interest" itself. What exactly is the conflict? You both want to win every game you play. You both perform at the highest level. Where's the conflict?

FEHR: The theory would be that your personal loyalty to each other might conflict with your competitive obligations to your teams.

CHEN: Except the evidence shows the opposite. The statistical analysis proves you're both more competitive against each other, not less. That actually undermines the argument.

ROSMAN: There's another issue we need to address: the vulnerability argument. Morrison raised the concern that being closeted made you vulnerable to blackmail or exploitation. That's actually insulting. Puts the blame on you for being closeted rather than on a society that makes being closeted necessary.

HOLLANDER: They're right, though. If someone had known and threatened to out us…

ROSMAN: That's a crime. Blackmail is illegal. The league doesn't discipline victims of potential crimes.

ROZANOV: We weren't victims. Nothing happened.

KAHN: Exactly. They're disciplining you for a hypothetical vulnerability. That's not a valid basis for discipline under the CBA.

CHEN: Before we finalize strategy, I need to mention something. We need to address the Russia issue.

FEHR: [pause] Yeah. I was hoping we could avoid that, but you're right.

CHEN: Ilya, you're a Russian citizen. Russia has anti-LGBTQ laws on the books - the so-called "propaganda" law from 2013. If you come out, or if this becomes public, there could be consequences for you in Russia. Family there, property, ability to travel safely.

ROZANOV: [quiet] I know.

FEHR: Have you thought about that?

ROZANOV: Of course I've thought about it. I think about it all the time. I've known what I was risking since I was seventeen.

CHEN: Do you have family in Russia still?

ROZANOV: I have no family in Russia anymore. My mother died when I was twelve. My father died in 2017. That's when Shane and I... that's when everything changed between us. I have no one left there.

HOLLANDER: [quiet] Ilya.

CHEN: No extended family? Cousins, uncles?

ROZANOV: No one that matters. My father's brother, maybe, but we haven't spoken in fifteen years.

KAHN: What about your brother?

ROZANOV: [sharp] My brother is not family anymore.

FEHR: Ilya, if there's something we need to know…

ROZANOV: [pause, then more controlled] My brother is high-ranking Moscow police. Metro division. We don't speak. Haven't since the funeral.

CHEN: Does he know about Shane?

ROZANOV: No. He doesn't know anything about my life.

HOLLANDER: He knows Ilya plays hockey. That's about it.

KAHN: [carefully] Ilya, if this becomes public and your brother is Moscow police… that could actually be worse than if he were civilian. He'd be under pressure to publicly distance himself from you. To denounce you, maybe.

ROZANOV: He already doesn't acknowledge me. What's the difference?

CHEN: The difference is it becomes official. State-sanctioned rejection. And if he's under political pressure -

ROZANOV: I don't care what my brother does. He's not my family.

FEHR: You know about Evgeni Malkin, right? 2006?

ROZANOV: [carefully] I know the story.

FEHR: Then you know what it looks like when a Russian player has to choose between the MLH and the Russian hockey federation.  Had to sneak out of the country to sign with Pittsburgh. It became this whole international incident; Russia accused the MLH of poaching, threatened legal action, the whole thing.

CHEN: But that was different. Malkin wanted to come to the MLH. The Russian federation wanted to keep him.

FEHR: Right. Now imagine the reverse. Imagine Ilya wants to stay in the MLH, but Russia decides they want to make an example out of him. What does the MLH do?

KAHN: They'd have to protect him. He's under contract.

FEHR: Would they? With Malkin, the MLH had every incentive to help. He was coming here, he was going to make them money. But if Russia puts pressure on the league about a player who's become an embarrassment to them, who's violating their laws, who's creating negative press…

ROZANOV: Would give me up?

FEHR: I don't know. But I know the MLH's track record on putting player safety above league interests is not great. And their track record on standing up to the Russian hockey federation is even worse.

ROZANOV: I know what Russia does to people like me. Have always known.

KAHN: [carefully] That's a significant factor in our decision-making. The league might use this as leverage…"accept discipline quietly or risk exposure that could endanger you."

ROSMAN: That would be unconscionable.

KAHN: Agreed, but we need to be prepared for it.

FEHR: The union's position is that we protect all our members equally, regardless of citizenship. But Ilya, I need you to be clear-eyed about the risks here. If this goes to arbitration, if it becomes public, you're going to face scrutiny not just from North American media but from Russian media. And the Russian media environment is... different.

ROZANOV: You mean they'll call me a faggot and say I'm a disgrace to my country.

FEHR: [pause] Yes. Probably.

HOLLANDER: Jesus.

ROZANOV: I am not stupid. I know what happens.

CHEN: Would you be in actual danger?

ROZANOV: I do not know. Probably not dangerous if I stay here. Am not stupid enough to go back… I don't plan to find out.

KAHN: This is another reason the league should back down. They're essentially forcing you to choose between fighting unjust discipline and protecting yourself from a government with state-sanctioned homophobia. That's coercion.

ROSMAN: It also raises the stakes considerably for any settlement. The league needs to understand that if they push this to arbitration, they're potentially exposing a player to persecution from a foreign government.

FEHR: Has Boston's front office discussed this with you at all?

ROZANOV: No. We haven't talked since Friday.

CHEN: They should be thinking about it. You're their player. They have a duty to protect you.

FEHR: They're probably more worried about their own liability right now. The disclosure forms, the optics, the playoff race.

KAHN: Don, when you talk to Davies, the Russia situation needs to be part of the conversation. This isn't just about two players who didn't check a box. If the league forces this public, they're potentially endangering a player. That's a much bigger problem than a disclosure violation.

FEHR: Agreed. I'll make that clear.

HOLLANDER: What about me? If Ilya gets targeted by Russian media, does that blow back on me, too?

ROSMAN: Potentially. You'd likely be characterized as the person who "corrupted" him. The narrative in certain circles would be ugly.

HOLLANDER: Great.

ROZANOV: Unfair! I did hard work, you get all the credit.

CHEN: There's also the political dimension. Relations between Russia and the West are already tense. Ukraine, sanctions, election interference allegations. The optics of a Russian MLH player being outed and potentially facing consequences from his home government… the league doesn't want to be in the middle of that.

FEHR: That's actually leverage for us. The league definitely doesn't want this to become an international incident.

KAHN: It also strengthens the case for a confidential settlement. If the league genuinely cares about player safety then keeping this quiet protects Ilya.

ROZANOV: I don't want to be bargaining chip.

FEHR: You're not. We're pointing out the reality of the situation. The league created this problem by forcing you into a meeting and threatening discipline. They need to understand the full consequences of their actions.

CHEN: Ilya, have you consulted with anyone about the specific legal risks you face under Russian law?

ROZANOV: No.

CHEN: You should. I can connect you with someone who specializes in international human rights law and LGBTQ issues. You need to know exactly what you're facing.

ROZANOV: [long pause] I already know what I'm facing. But Ok. Yes.

HOLLANDER: This is exactly why… fuck. God, fuck this.

ROSMAN: I understand. And that's why any discipline here is fundamentally unjust. You were protecting yourselves in a hostile environment. The league is punishing you for self-preservation.

FEHR: Even so, we need to consider every angle here. Your brother is actually a significant complication.

ROZANOV: Why? We don't speak. Life is better without him. Am fine.

KAHN: Because if this becomes public, he's going to face pressure. Political pressure. If he's high-ranking metro police and his brother is an openly gay MLH player violating Russian law, that's a problem for him.

ROZANOV: Am not gay – keep saying, bisexual - but anyway. Good. I hope it makes his life difficult.

HOLLANDER: Ilya.

ROZANOV: What? You want me to protect him? I cut him off after funeral. He told me I was a disgrace, am faggot; he does not want faggot money, is his choice. Easy for me. Fuck him.

CHEN: I understand the anger, but Roman's right that it's a complication. If your brother feels threatened professionally because of your sexuality becoming public, he might…

ROZANOV: He might what? Go to papers? I do not care. Have not cared for years.

FEHR: Could he make things difficult for you if you tried to go back to Russia?

ROZANOV: I'm never going back to Russia.

CHEN: What about property? Do you still have anything there?

ROZANOV: No.

CHEN: So you have no assets in Russia?

ROZANOV: Nothing. I wanted nothing from there.

FEHR: That actually simplifies things. No property they can seize, no financial leverage.

CHEN: But it also means you've already cut most of your ties to Russia. If this becomes public, it could be interpreted as you having rejected Russia entirely.

ROZANOV: I have rejected Russia. Russia rejected me first, a long time ago.

FEHR: That's my point. This isn't just about hockey anymore. The moment this becomes public… sorry, if it becomes public, you're going to be caught between two countries. The U.S. and Russia. The MLH and the Russian federation.

HOLLANDER: Boston has to protect him. He's their player.

FEHR: Boston will protect Boston. If it comes down to a choice between protecting Ilya and protecting their relationship with Russian hockey, their pipeline for players, their scouting operation, their international business interests, I don't know which way they'll go.

CHEN: That's cynical.

FEHR: That's realistic. I've been doing this for thirty years. I've seen how teams make decisions when there's a conflict between player welfare and organizational interests.

ROZANOV: So what are you saying? That I should just accept whatever punishment the league wants because fighting back is too dangerous?

FEHR: No. I'm saying we need to go into this with our eyes open. If we fight, if this goes to arbitration, you need to understand what you might be facing. Not just from the media, not just from fans, but from Russia. From your own government.

KAHN: Our role is to make sure the league understands what they're doing if they push this. They're potentially creating an international incident.

CHEN: Has Boston even considered the Russia angle? Do they understand what they're potentially exposing you to?

ROZANOV: I don't know what they understand. Jacobs and Sweeney barely looked at me on Friday.

FEHR: You need to have a conversation with them. With Jacobs, with Sweeney. You need to make them understand that this isn't just about disclosure forms and optics. You're a Russian citizen in a precarious position, and if they don't handle this carefully, they could be putting you in real danger.

ROZANOV: They won't care.

FEHR: They might. You're their captain. You're a major asset. They have a duty of care.

CHEN: And if they don't take that duty seriously, that's another argument we can make in arbitration. The team failed to protect their player from foreseeable harm.

HOLLANDER: What do we do about the immediate problem? The league is going to issue discipline in the next couple days.

FEHR: Let's talk strategy. We have a few options here. Option one: we negotiate a settlement. Maybe a fine, mandatory ethics training, prospective disclosure requirements, no games. The league gets to say they took action, you guys avoid a public hearing, everyone moves on.

CHEN: What are the terms of that kind of settlement?

FEHR: We'd negotiate it. Probably something like a $25,000 fine each, you both agree to disclose any future relationships that could create conflicts, maybe some media training on managing these situations. No admission of wrongdoing, no games missed.

HOLLANDER: Would we have to go public about the relationship?

FEHR: Not necessarily. The settlement would be confidential. The league would announce that discipline was issued for a disclosure violation, no specifics. Your teams would know, obviously, but it wouldn't have to be public.

ROZANOV: What if someone leaks it?

KAHN: That's always a risk. But the settlement agreement would include confidentiality provisions with severe penalties for breaches.

ROSMAN: Option two?

FEHR: Option two: we refuse any discipline and dare them to suspend you. If they do, we file a grievance immediately. This goes to arbitration. We argue discrimination, vague policies, inconsistent enforcement, no competitive harm. It's a fight, and it gets ugly, but we might win.

CHEN: What are the odds in arbitration?

KAHN: Honestly? Probably 60-40 in our favor. Maybe 65-35. The substance is strong; no competitive impact, no actual rules violation beyond a vague disclosure form, clear discrimination concerns. But arbitrators are unpredictable, and the league will argue contract breach and appearance issues.

FEHR: The risk with arbitration is that it becomes public. Your relationship becomes public. You both get outed in the process.

HOLLANDER: [long pause] Yeah. That's… that's the thing.

ROZANOV: We're not ready for that.

ROSMAN: I understand. And that's a deeply personal decision that only you two can make. But I want you to consider something: the league is using your desire to stay closeted as leverage against you. They're betting you'll accept discipline you don't deserve because you're afraid of being outed.

CHEN: It's a form of coercion. They're exploiting your vulnerability.

HOLLANDER: Or they're just trying to maintain league integrity and we're the ones who screwed up.

FEHR: Shane, stop. You didn't screw up. You fell in love with someone. That's not a screw-up.

HOLLANDER: We lied on disclosure forms for years.

KAHN: Because you were protecting yourselves in a profession that's not exactly welcoming to gay players. That's understandable. And again, those forms were never meant to capture romantic relationships between players.

ROSMAN: Let me ask you both something. If you could go back, what would you do differently?

ROZANOV: [pause] I don't know. Disclose it, yes? Or back then refuse to sign papers. [sigh] Tell someone, they expect. Tape coach? Team captain?

HOLLANDER: We couldn't. We just… we couldn't.

ROSMAN: Exactly. Because the environment made it impossible. That's not your fault.

FEHR: Option three: we get ahead of this. You two control the narrative. You come out publicly on your own terms, you explain the relationship, you make it clear there was no competitive impact, and you dare the league to discipline you for being in a loving relationship. Public opinion might force the league to back down.

CHEN: That's incredibly risky. You're talking about coming out in the middle of a controversy.

FEHR: I know. But it might be the only way to take the power back from the league.

HOLLANDER: I can't. I'm not… I don’t want to do that.

ROZANOV: Not like this. Not because we're being forced.

FEHR: Fair enough. Then we're back to options one or two. Settlement or fight.

ROSMAN: There's a fourth option. We do nothing. We wait for the league to issue discipline, and then we decide how to respond. We don't have to commit to a strategy until we see what they actually do.

KAHN: That's true. The 72-hour deadline Powers mentioned; that's just for preliminary discipline. We have ten days under the CBA to file a grievance once discipline is issued.

CHEN: What do you think they'll actually do?

FEHR: Honestly? I think they're hoping you'll settle. A public suspension of two star players in the middle of a playoff race is going to raise too many questions. And if they have to explain why you're being suspended, they risk outing you themselves, which would be a disaster for them.

KAHN: Plus, they're already dealing with the Webb and St-Simon situation. The last thing they need is another controversy.

ROSMAN: So they'll offer a settlement.

FEHR: That's my guess. Probably similar to what I outlined. They get to say they took action, you guys avoid a fight.

HOLLANDER: And if we don't accept it?

FEHR: Then they have to decide whether to suspend you anyway and risk arbitration, or back down and look weak.

ROZANOV: What do you think we should do?

FEHR: [pause] I think you should reject any discipline. I think you should make the league defend suspending two players who did nothing wrong except fall in love. I think you should call their bluff.

CHEN: That's easy to say when it's not your career on the line.

FEHR: You're right. It is easy for me to say. But I've been doing this for a long time, and I've seen what happens when players accept discipline they don't deserve. It sets a precedent. It tells the league they can push you around.

ROSMAN: Don, these aren't just any players. They're captains. They're in the middle of a playoff race. A suspension affects their teams, their teammates.

FEHR: Which is exactly why the league won't want to do it. They're bluffing.

KAHN: I'm not sure they're bluffing. Powers seemed pretty committed.

FEHR: Powers is playing a role. He has to look tough in front of the owners. But behind closed doors, I guarantee you they're terrified of this going to arbitration.

HOLLANDER: What about our teams? Boston and Montreal have to be furious about the disclosure stuff.

CHEN: Jacobs' statement at the end of the meeting was actually relatively supportive. "We don't believe his integrity as a competitor should be questioned." That's significant.

ROSMAN: Bergevin was less enthusiastic, but he also said they support Shane completely.

HOLLANDER: He also said they'd be conducting an internal review. That doesn't sound supportive.

ROSMAN: That's CYA. He has to say that. But I don't think Montreal wants to lose their captain for twenty games any more than the league wants to make anything off-ice into a circus.

HOLLANDER: What if we just accept a fine and move on? Is that really so bad?

FEHR: It's not about the fine, Shane. It's about the precedent. If you accept discipline for this, what message does that send? That being in a same-sex relationship is something you need to be punished for?

ROZANOV: For not disclosing it.

FEHR: Which straight players never have to do. That's the discrimination.

CHEN: There's also the practical consideration. If you accept discipline now, even a fine, you're admitting you did something wrong. That could affect future contract negotiations, endorsements, reputation.

HOLLANDER: We're not activists. We're hockey players.

ROSMAN: I understand. I'm just saying there are options here beyond just accepting whatever the league wants.

FEHR: Let's table the coming out conversation for now. That's a separate decision. The immediate question is what to do about discipline. I need to know what you both want.

ROZANOV: [pause] I want this to go away.

HOLLANDER: Same.

FEHR: I get that. But it's not going to just go away. The league is going to do something. The question is what you're willing to accept.

KAHN: Let me throw out a different approach. What if we negotiate a settlement that's face-saving for everyone but doesn't involve any real punishment? A joint statement from the league and the players acknowledging that disclosure protocols need to be clarified going forward. No fines, no suspensions, no admission of wrongdoing. Just an agreement to improve processes.

CHEN: Would the league accept that?

KAHN: If the alternative is arbitration? Is suspension? Maybe.

FEHR: It's worth exploring. The league gets to say they addressed the issue, you guys avoid discipline, everyone moves on.

ROSMAN: I like that approach. It acknowledges there's a problem with the current disclosure forms without punishing Ilya and Shane for it.

HOLLANDER: What would the statement say?

KAHN: [typing sounds] Something like: "The MLH and MLHPA have reviewed the disclosure protocols for player relationships and agree that clarifications are needed..." [typing stops] something about clarifying language, maybe?

ROSMAN: Ensure players understand their obligations?

KAHN: Sure, yeah. [typing resumes] "The MLH and MLHPA have reviewed the disclosure protocols for player relationships and agree that clarifications are needed to ensure players understand their obligations while protecting their privacy... blah blah.. The league and union will work together to develop clearer guidelines going forward." The usual bow on it: "The players involved have cooperated fully with the investigation... no competitive integrity violations were found." [typing ends] I'll shoot a draft to legal and cc you - you, being personal counsel - in that. 

CHEN: That's good. It doesn't out them, it doesn't admit wrongdoing, it doesn't involve punishment.

FEHR: And it gives the league a tangible win. They get to say they're improving their processes.

HOLLANDER: Would we have to disclose the relationship to our teams if we do that?

KAHN: Probably. But it could be done confidentially, just to management. Not public.

HOLLANDER: [long pause] I can live with that.

ROZANOV: Yeah. Me too.

FEHR: Alright. Then here's what we do. I'll reach out to Davies tomorrow and propose this framework. If they're receptive, we negotiate the specific language. If they're not, we regroup and consider our other options.

KAHN: And if they insist on discipline?

FEHR: Then we fight.

CHEN: Agreed.

ROSMAN: Agreed.

FEHR: Ilya, Shane - anything else you want to say before we wrap up?

ROZANOV: Just… thank you.

HOLLANDER: Yeah. Thanks for your time.

FEHR: I want to say… just personally, you didn't do anything wrong. You care about each other. What's at issue is a system that makes you hide it and then punishes you for hiding it.

KAHN: One more thing. Have either of you talked to each other since you were scratched?

ROZANOV: No.

HOLLANDER: No. The email was pretty clear. 

KAHN: You should. I’ll say it here, you’re allowed. You're going through this together. Don't isolate yourselves from each other.

HOLLANDER: Yeah. Ok.

ROZANOV: We will.

FEHR: Alright. I'll be in touch as soon as I hear from the league. In the meantime, don't talk to media, don't talk to anyone outside your legal team and immediate family. If anyone from the league contacts you directly, refer them to Roman or your personal attorneys.

ROZANOV: Got it.

HOLLANDER: Understood.

FEHR: Take care of yourselves. We're going to get through this.

[7:58 PM - Meeting ends]

END OF TRANSCRIPT

This transcript is protected by attorney-client privilege and MLHPA representation privilege. Distribution outside authorized recipients is strictly prohibited.

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Breach reveals major agency facilitated performance enhancing drug access for clients in NFL, MLB, track and field, professional cycling

By Rachel Axon and Dan Wolken

A prominent sports agency with clients across professional football, baseball, Olympic track and field, and international cycling systematically connected athletes to performance-enhancing drug suppliers. Messages show agents at Priority Sports Management not only knew about clients' PED use but actively facilitated introductions to suppliers, coordinated testing schedules to avoid detection, and advised athletes on masking agents. The network included at least two Olympic medalists, three NFL Pro Bowl players, and multiple Major League Baseball All-Stars, according to documents reviewed by USA TODAY.

THE BOSTON GLOBE

March 27, 2019

MLH Expands Breach Investigation as Czech-Language Messages Surface

League officials initially believed hockey less affected; encrypted communications tell different story

By Matt Porter and Fluto Shinzawa

The Major League Hockey has quietly expanded its investigation into the March 12 data breach after forensic analysts discovered thousands of messages in French, Czech, Slovak, and Russian that initially went unexamined, league sources confirmed Thursday. While early assessments suggested hockey had been less impacted than basketball or football, the multilingual nature of MLH communications meant significant material was overlooked in initial scans.

CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

March 29, 2019

NCAA Faces Reckoning as Breach Exposes Widespread Academic Fraud

Communications reveal tutors completing coursework for athletes at dozens of institutions

By Brad Wolverton

The massive sports data breach has exposed an academic fraud network spanning at least 40 Division I institutions, with leaked communications showing tutors, academic advisors, and athletic staff explicitly completing coursework for student-athletes in exchange for payment. Messages obtained by the Chronicle reveal a sophisticated operation in which third-party companies connected athletes with individuals willing to write papers, take online exams, and complete entire courses. At one major university, communications show an assistant basketball coach directly coordinating with a "homework service" to ensure players maintained eligibility during championship runs in 2016 and 2018.

CONFIDENTIAL SESSION RECORD
Dr. Caroline Beaumont, Registered Sport & Performance Psychologist
Montreal Metros Hockey Club

Date: March 25, 2019
Time: 2:00 PM EST
Format: Secure video call (Microsoft Teams)
Client: Shane Hollander (#24, C)
Session Duration: 62 minutes

Note: Client unable to attend team facilities per League directive. Video session conducted from client's residence.

Shane was already on the call when Caroline joined, sitting in what must be his apartment. She could see the edge of a bookshelf behind him, some framed photos hidden by the blur filter. His camera was positioned slightly too high, giving her a view of mostly his forehead and the dark circles under his eyes. He unmuited himself and waited.

"Shane, thank you for making time today," Caroline said, adjusting her own camera. "I know it's been an incredibly difficult week."

"Yeah." His voice was flat. "It has."

She paused, giving him space. Shane had never been particularly comfortable with these sessions; always had a hard time explaining how he was feeling, falling back on the why he reacted the way he did. But Shane showed up, always on time, and he tried. That counted for something.

"How are you doing?" she asked. "And I mean really—how are you actually doing?"

Shane laughed, but there was no humor in it. "I don't know. I honestly don't know. Some moments I feel like I'm fine, like this is all happening to someone else. And then other times I feel like I'm drowning."

"That's a completely normal response to trauma," Caroline said. "Because Shane, what's happened to you is traumatic. Your privacy was violated in the most extreme way possible."

"Everyone keeps saying that." Shane's jaw tightened. "The lawyers, the union, Marc. 'Violation of privacy.' Like it's some... legal concept. But it doesn't feel like that."

"What does it feel like?"

"Like someone took everything I've been protecting for ten years and just..." He made a sharp gesture with his hand. "Handed over to the league on-purpose to fuck with me. Ilya's phone got hacked and suddenly every private conversation we ever had is all there for them to read. Like, they went through our entire relationship and turned it into a fucking sideshow."

Caroline nodded. "The meeting on Friday, can you walk me through how that felt?"

Shane's hands moved to grip the edge of the desk in front of him. "They had everything. Every text I sent to Ilya. Every call log. They knew about hotel rooms I'd forgotten about. They had timestamps, GPS data; they probably had some dick pics, but they didn't show them." He stopped. "I booked a hotel room in my own city just to see him. Rookie year. I was a fucking idiot. They presented it all on this big screen. In a room full of people who now know something I never..."

"And Ilya was there?"

His expression softened slightly. "Yeah. Across the table. We couldn't... we weren't allowed to sit together. I didn't even ask. His lawyer was there, my lawyer was there. Marc and Molson on my side. Sweeney and Jacobs on his. And the league people in the middle, just going through everything from Ilya's phone."

"How did it feel to have your relationship discussed that way? In front of all those people?"

Shane was quiet for a long time. When he spoke again, his voice was rough. "Like they're going to peel apart my whole life. Like they took this thing that was ours and they turned it into a 'conflict of interest.' An 'integrity concern.'" He said the words like they tasted bad.

"You're angry."

"Of course I'm angry!" The words came out sharp, louder than he probably intended. "They're talking about suspending us. Twenty games. For what? For being together? For loving each other?"

"The league is framing it as failure to disclose a relationship that created conflicts of interest."

"Right. Because straight players have to disclose every woman they're dating?" Shane's voice dripped with bitterness. "Because if someone on the Noamds dipped their wick in somegirl working for the Canes, they'd suspend him for twenty games?"

She let the comment rest, focused on the train of thought. "You don't think they would?"

"No! I know they wouldn't! Because it wouldn't even be a story. But because Ilya and I are..." He stopped himself. "Because we're gay, suddenly it's this massive scandal."

Caroline leaned forward slightly. "Do you think the league's response is discriminatory?"

Shane paused, clearly choosing his words carefully. "The lawyers tell me I shouldn't say that. That I should let the MLHPA handle it." Another pause. "But yeah. Yeah, why the fuck not. I think it's discriminatory. I think if we were straight, none of this would be happening."

"Let me ask you something different," Caroline said. "Setting aside the league's response, how do you feel about management knowing about the relationship now?"

Shane went completely blank. He stared at something off-camera for a long moment. "I don't know. I really don't know."

"Take your time."

"Part of me is... relieved?" He said it like a question. "Like, I've been hiding for so long. Since I was seventeen. Making sure everything looks exactly right. And now Marc knows, Molson knows, and I don't have to hide from them anymore. That part feels... almost good?"

"And the other part?"

Shane's voice dropped. "The other part is terrified. Because I didn't get to choose this."

"That's a profound violation of autonomy."

"Scott Hunter got to choose," Shane said quietly. "He won the Cup, he kissed his boyfriend on TV, at Madison Square Garden, he came out on his own terms. He was ready. He had control."

"And you weren't ready."

"No. I wasn't ready. And now I'm just..." He gestured vaguely. "Waiting. Sitting here in my apartment while they decide what to do with me. The league directive says I can't go to practice, can't be at the facility. Marc says it's out of his hands. The commissioner's orders. I can't see my teammates; Hayden is acting captain right now. He's doing his best, which is pretty ok. Can't do the one thing I actually know how to do."

Caroline made a note. "Tell me about not being able to play. How's that affecting you?"

"It's killing me." The words came out immediate, raw. "I'm dying over here. We're three weeks from playoffs. Three weeks. I'm sitting here doing fuck all while the team is out there. Do you know what our record is since I got scratched?"

"No, I don't."

"One and two. We lost to Jersey. Jersey." His voice was tight with frustration. "I should be out there. I should be helping them. That's my job. That's what I'm supposed to do. And instead I'm just... waiting for the league to decide if they're going to suspend me for something that has nothing to do with hockey."

"It sounds like not playing is almost harder than the investigation itself."

"Hockey is my life." Shane's hands were moving now, gesturing as he spoke. "The rules are clear. You know what you're supposed to do. You work hard, you execute the system, you help your team win. Everything else in my life right now is chaos and uncertainty and people analyzing my private life, but on the ice? On the ice I know exactly who I am and what I'm supposed to be doing."

"And without that..."

"Without that I'm just sitting here thinking about everything that could go wrong. Wondering what my teammates will think if they find out. Wondering when this is going to leak." He wiped angerly at his eyes. "Wondering if I'm going to have a career after this." Shane twisted up his mouth, blinked hard. "Hockey has been the only thing I've done since I was ten years old."  

Caroline kept her voice gentle. "You mentioned your teammate. They don't know yet, correct?"

Shane's jaw clenched. "No. As far as I know, it's just ownership, Marc, the league office, and the lawyers. The guys don't know." He paused, his voice going quieter. "But if this leaks..."

"What are you most afraid would happen?"

"Everything." The word came out hollow. "I don't know what they'll think. These are guys I've been in the room with for years. We've won Cups together. We've bled together. And I've been lying to them the whole time. Not directly, but... every time someone asked if I was seeing anyone, every time we talked about girls at a bar, every time I let them assume I was straight—that was a lie."

"You think they'll feel betrayed."

"I think some of them will feel like they didn't really know me. And maybe they'll be right about that." His voice went quiet. "The locker room has rules. Unwritten ones, mostly. About how you're supposed to be, what you're supposed to care about. And I just... broke a bunch of them. Even if they don't care that I'm gay, they might care that I hid this huge thing from them for years."

"That uncertainty must be difficult."

"It's killing me. I don't know if I still belong there. I don't know if they'll even want me back when this is over."

"Have you thought about what you'll say to them? If it does become public?"

Shane shook his head slowly. "Every scenario ends badly in my head. Either they're supportive and I feel guilty for not trusting them sooner, or they're not supportive and I lose my place in the room entirely. Either way, everything changes. We can't just go back to how things were before."

Caroline watched him carefully. "Have you been able to talk to Ilya since the meeting?"

Shane's entire demeanor changed. His shoulders dropped, his expression went soft and vulnerable in a way she rarely saw. She'd known him since he was a rookie; in the past two weeks, it was like she had met someone entirely new. "The union says we can. That we should, actually. That we're going through this together and shouldn't isolate ourselves." He paused. "But I haven't called him."

"Why not?"

"I don't know what to say. Every time I pick up the phone I just..." He gestured helplessly. "His phone got hacked. That's how we're here. And I know it's not his fault, I know that, but..." His voice trailed off. "I keep thinking about what I'd say and nothing feels right. 'Hey, how's being under investigation going?' 'Sorry the league is threatening to suspend us for being together?''Thank God we were too lazy to film a sex tape?'"

"You're angry at him."

"No. I'm not..." He stopped himself, looking uncomfortable. "Maybe a little? Not at him, exactly. At the situation. At whoever hacked his phone. At the fact that we were so careful for eight years and it only took one fucking week..." He rubbed his face. "I know I should call him. I know he's going through the same thing. But I can't seem to make myself do it."

"What are you afraid will happen if you call?"

Shane was quiet for a long moment. "What if he's angry at me? What if he blames me for how I reacted in the meeting? I wasn't... I didn't handle it well. I was so focused on protecting myself, on thinking about what this means for my career, for my team. And he was sitting right there across the table and I barely looked at him." His voice cracked slightly.

"You won't know how he feels unless you talk to him."

"I know. I know that." He wiped at his eyes quickly, like he was angry at himself for the reaction.

Caroline kept her voice gentle. "Shane, I want to ask you something, and I want you to be honest. Have you had any thoughts of harming yourself?"

"No." The answer came immediately, definitive. "No, I haven't. I'm not... I'm not there. I'm angry and scared and overwhelmed, but I'm not suicidal."

"Okay. But if that changes, you call me immediately. Day or night. You have my cell number."

"I know. I will."

"Let's talk about your parents," Caroline said. "You mentioned in our last session that you came out to them in 2017. How are they handling this?"

For the first time, Shane smiled: small, but genuine. "My mom keeps calling. Like, every three hours. She wants to fly out here and 'take care of me' which is very mom of her." The smile faded. "My dad is... he's angry. Not at me. At the league, at whoever hacked Ilya's phone."

"It sounds like they're supportive."

"They are. They've been amazing." Shane paused. "My mom asked me yesterday if I'd talked to my grandparents yet. Her parents. They're... they're old-school Japanese Canadian. Very traditional. Very concerned about what people think." He rubbed his face. "I haven't called them. I don't know what to say. My mom said she'd talk to them first if this becomes public, but..."

"You're worried about their reaction."

"I'm worried about disappointing them. My mom's parents went through internment during the war. They worked so hard to build respectability, to be seen as good Canadians. And now their grandson is..." He gestured vaguely. "This. If this gets out, everyone's going to be talking about me. About our family."

"Do you feel like you've brought shame to your family?"

Shane was quiet for a long moment. "I feel like I've complicated things. My mom says they love me no matter what, that nothing changes that. But I know how important appearances are. How important it is for me to be a role model, to set a good example. I know how much reputation matters. And if this gets out..."

"That's a heavy burden to carry."

"It's what it is." Shane's voice went flat again, that shut-down tone he used when something was too much to process. "I can't control what other people think. I can only control what I do. And right now what I need to do is get back on the ice and help my team make the playoffs."

"Do you feel like you have support? Beyond your parents?"

Shane considered this. "I don't know. My lawyer is great. The MLHPA is fighting for me. But I also feel like everyone has an agenda. The union wants to win the grievance. The team wants to protect the brand and get me back playing. Marc pulled me aside after the meeting and said 'we support you completely,' but in the same breath he's talking about internal reviews and disclosure protocols." He met Caroline's eyes through the camera. "Nobody's asking what I actually need."

"What do you need, Shane?"

Shane rubbed a hand across his mouth. The words came out quiet. "I need to call Ilya. I need to actually talk to him instead of just thinking about it. I need to get back on the ice. I need to play hockey. I need..." He stopped, swallowed hard. "I need to stop feeling like my whole life is falling apart."

"Those are concrete things you can work toward. Calling Ilya is something you can do today. Right after this session, if you wanted to."

"I don't know if I'm ready."

"You mentioned you haven't called him because you don't know what to say. What would it take for you to make that call?"

"I don't know. Permission? Not being a coward? The right words?" He laughed bitterly. "The union literally told me I should talk to him. But I keep avoiding it. Every time I think about calling, I find something else to do. Check my email, watch tape, anything."

"That's avoidance. It's a normal response to difficult emotions, but it's not serving you right now."

Shane said. "I know."

"Tell me about that relationship," Caroline said. "Not the hockey stuff, not the conflict of interest stuff. Tell me about Ilya."

Shane's expression transformed. "He's... God, where do I even start? He's funny. Like, genuinely hilarious once you get past the bullshit he puts on for cameras." A soft laugh. "He's loyal. He's kind. When his dad died, he called me because he needed me. No one had ever trusted me like that before. He..." Shane stopped, swallowed hard. "He makes me feel like I can just be myself. He makes me better; I make him better."

"You love him."

"Yeah." The word was barely audible. "I really do. I have for years."

"How long have you felt that way?"

"I don't know exactly when it happened. At first it was just... you know. Hooking up. Then we started actually talking. Became friendly. And then somewhere along the way, it changed. But I can't point to a specific moment and say 'that's when I fell in love with him.' It was gradual. But now... when I think about him, when we were younger, it's like everything is overlayed with how much I love him now. How I feel bleeds into every memory of him."

"And you never told anyone?"

"How could I?" Shane's voice went sharp again. "I play hockey in Montreal. Do you know what would happen if they found out their captain was gay? And not just gay... gay and dating the captain of the fucking Raiders? The most hated team in the league?"

"You think Montreal wouldn't have accepted it?"

"Do you think Bataille du Québec was a joke?" Shane shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe some people would have. But it only takes a few people to make your life hell. Some fans throwing slurs at you. Couple of the boys making it weird in the room. A media member writing about how you're a 'distraction.'" He shook his head.

"So you protected yourself."

"I tried to." His voice went bitter. "And I thought we were doing okay. We used fake names. We were careful. But then someone hacked Ilya's phone and suddenly everything we thought was private..."

"That's not your fault, Shane. You're not responsible for criminal activity."

"I mean, I know that." He pressed his palms against his eyes. "But it doesn't feel that way. It feels like we should have been more careful. Like we should have known this was going to happen."

"You protected yourself for years."

"Yeah." Shane lowered his hands. 

Caroline shifted in her chair. "Let me ask you something. If you could go back, knowing what you know now, would you still have pursued the relationship with Ilya?"

Shane didn't hesitate. "Yes. Absolutely yes."

"Even knowing it might end like this?"

"Even knowing it would end like this." His voice was firm, certain in a way it hadn't been for most of the conversation. "Because... because those years with him were the only time I felt like myself. The only time I wasn't pretending. When I was with Ilya, I didn't have to be Shane Hollander, Montreal Metro captain, perfect hockey player. I could just be... me."

"That's significant."

"People keep acting like this relationship was some kind of betrayal." Shane's words came faster now, more intense. "Like I was doing something wrong. But being with Ilya is the most honest thing I've ever done. Everything else... that was... I don't know what to call it. Ilya was the truth."

Caroline made a note. "Have you thought about what happens next? After the investigation, after any discipline?"

"I try not to. It's too overwhelming. But also I can't stop thinking about it."

"Try for me."

Shane was quiet for a long time, staring at something off-camera. "Best case scenario, the MLHPA wins the grievance or negotiates it down to nothing. I go back to playing. The team keeps it quiet. Maybe management knows but the players don't, at least not officially. I finish the season, we make a playoff run, and this just... stays contained. Nobody else finds out."

"And worst case?"

His voice dropped. "Worst case, we get suspended anyway. Ilya gets deported. Or it leaks. And then everything I've been afraid of happens all at once. Media circus, fans losing their minds, every game I've ever played getting analyzed. Having to come out publicly when I'm not ready. My grandparents finding out from the news. Losing my C. Losing my career."

"Do you think that's likely?"

"I don't know. The lawyers keep saying the league won't want this public because it makes them look bad. But leaks happen. Someone always talks. And once it's out there..." He trailed off.

"Are you worried the relationship might become public knowledge?"

Shane's jaw clenched. "The lawyers keep saying the meeting was confidential. That everyone who was in that room is bound by NDAs and CBA confidentiality rules. The union agreement says it's privileged." He shook his head. "There's already four binders in New York with every text message he and I ever exchanged. There's a fucking internal report that says "Hollaner, Rozanov, sexual relationship". And if this gets out before I'm ready, before we're ready..."

"Let's redirect for a moment. How do you feel about the possibility of playing again soon? If the investigation clears you quickly?"

Shane's entire posture changed. He sat up straighter. "That's all I want. To get back on the ice. To help the team. We play Toronto on Friday, I should be there. Doing my job, putting a puck in the net."

"It sounds like hockey is your anchor right now."

"Hockey is the only thing that makes sense." Shane's voice was intense now. "Everything else is chaos."

"That must be incredibly frustrating."

"The playoffs are three weeks away and I'm wasting time sitting in my apartment talking to lawyers instead of preparing with my team." He paused. "I know that sounds ungrateful. I know these sessions help. But I just want to play."

Caroline glanced at the clock. "We're coming up on time, but I want to ask: what do you need from me? How can I help you through this?"

Shane thought about it. "I don't know. Just... this, I guess. Having someone I can talk to honestly. Someone who's not trying to build a legal case or protect the organization. Just someone who listens and helps me figure out what I'm supposed to do next."

"I can do that. And I want to see you again tomorrow. Same time?"

"Okay. Yeah. Tomorrow works."

"In the meantime, I want you to do two things for me. First, I want you to call Ilya today. Not tomorrow, not next week. Today. It doesn't have to be a long conversation. Just check in. Let him know you're thinking about him."

Shane looked uncomfortable but nodded slowly. "Okay. I can do that."

"Second, I want you to write down what you're feeling. Not about the investigation, not about hockey. About Ilya. About your relationship. Everything you wish you could say to him but haven't found the words for yet. You don't have to show it to anyone. It's just for you."

"Okay. I can do that too."

"And Shane? Take care of yourself. Eat. Sleep. Try to maintain your normal routine as much as possible, even if you can't be at the rink."

A small, tired smile. "I'll try."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow."

Shane's screen went black.

CLINICAL NOTES:

Presenting Issues: Acute stress response following privacy violation (partner's phone hacked in March 12 data breach) and forced disclosure of sexual orientation to team management and league officials. Client demonstrates significant anxiety regarding: (1) potential public disclosure, (2) avoidance of partner communication despite permission, (3) inability to play/perform professional role, (4) uncertainty about future teammate reactions, (5) family shame concerns.

Mental Status: Alert and oriented. Affect congruent with content but restricted range. Speech logical and goal-directed with notable concrete thinking patterns. Demonstrates rigidity around rule-following and black-and-white moral reasoning. No evidence of psychosis. Denies SI/HI credibly.

Cultural Considerations: Client identifies as half-Japanese Canadian (maternal side, 2nd generation). Expressed significant concern about bringing shame to family, particularly maternal grandparents who experienced internment. Cultural values around propriety, reputation, and family honor appear significant in client's internal conflict about potential public disclosure.

Cognitive/Behavioral Patterns: Strong preference for clear rules and defined expectations. Significant distress related to ambiguity and changing parameters. Uses logic/analysis as primary coping mechanism, sometimes to bypass emotional processing. Tendency to assume personal responsibility for outcomes beyond his control (e.g., feeling they should have been more careful despite partner's phone being criminally compromised). Difficulty with emotional identification. Relies on physical sensations and external observations to recognize internal states. Notable avoidance behavior regarding partner communication despite explicit permission and union encouragement.

Professional Identity: Hockey appears to be primary source of structure, meaning, and self-efficacy. Client's distress significantly elevated by inability to play/practice. Forced absence from team facilities (Commissioner's directive, not team decision/client understands this distinction) appears to be compounding isolation and anxiety. Need to return to play may be as salient as relationship concerns.

Relationship Dynamics: Deep emotional connection to partner (Ilya Rozanov) appears to be primary protective factor. Describes relationship as rare space where masking/performance not required. However, client has not initiated contact with partner despite MLHPA advice (March 24 meeting) that communication is permitted and encouraged. Client expresses fear/avoidance around conversation, citing: (1) uncertainty about partner's emotional state, (2) guilt about own reaction during investigative meeting, (3) displaced anger about breach originating from partner's compromised device, (4) fear conversation will reveal relationship damage. Client notably not consciously angry at partner but demonstrates some unconscious resentment about breach circumstances. Partner is only other person experiencing identical situation. Avoidance of this support particularly concerning.

Privacy/Disclosure Concerns: Currently, relationship known only to: league officials (Commissioner's office, investigators), team ownership/GM (Molson, Bergevin), MLHPA representatives (Fehr, Kahn), personal legal counsel (Rosman), client's parents. Teammates and broader organization not aware. Client has significant anxiety about potential leak and teammate reactions if/when they learn. Has not disclosed to teammates, extended family (including maternal grandparents), or public. Absence of control over disclosure timing/method creating substantial distress.

Risk Assessment: No current SI/HI. Protective factors include: strong parental support, legal representation, meaningful relationship (though currently not accessing this support), clarity about values, logical problem-solving skills, strong professional identity. Risk factors include: avoidance of primary support person (partner), isolation from team support system, public scrutiny risk, career uncertainty, rule-violation guilt/shame, inability to engage in primary coping mechanism (playing hockey), displacement of anger onto self and situation.

Treatment Plan:

Immediate behavioral intervention: Client assigned to contact partner today (post-session). This avoidance pattern is interfering with primary support system access and may indicate broader difficulty with emotional vulnerability.

• Daily sessions through acute crisis period
  • Focus on: emotional regulation, processing trauma, reducing catastrophic thinking, distinguishing controllable vs. uncontrollable factors
• Introduce concrete coping strategies for managing uncertainty
  • Support around cultural/family dynamics and potential disclosure scenarios
• Explore healthy substitutes for hockey-related routine while barred from facilities
• Monitor for depression/SI, particularly if forced absence from team continues
  • Writing exercise (documenting feelings about relationship) as emotional processing tool
  • Coordinate with team as appropriate regarding return to play protocols
• Prepare client for possibility of disclosure (voluntary or involuntary)
  • Address avoidance patterns and explore barriers to accessing support systems

Therapeutic Observations: Client demonstrates many traits consistent with undiagnosed ASD presentation (preference for rules/systems, concrete thinking, difficulty with emotional identification, masking behaviors, special interests [hockey]). This is not formally assessed nor diagnosed, but informs treatment approach; will continue using concrete examples, clear expectations, and structured interventions. Client's statement about relationship being space where he doesn't have to perform may reflect reduced masking demands with trusted partner. Avoidance of partner communication despite explicit permission suggests difficulty tolerating emotional vulnerability, even with safe person. May need scaffolding to re-establish contact (suggested text before call, structured talking points if needed in follow-up session).

Confidentiality Note: Per agreement with organization, details of client's situation known only to League office, team ownership, and GM. Maintaining strict confidentiality boundaries. Client currently barred from team facilities per Commissioner's directive (administrative leave, not team-initiated action) pending investigation outcome. No timeline provided for resolution. Teammates currently unaware of situation—client's anxiety appropriately focused on potential future disclosure rather than current team dynamics.

Next Session: March 27, 2019, 2:00 PM EST

Follow-up items for next session:

• Confirm whether client contacted partner as assigned
  • If yes: process conversation content and emotional responses
  • If no: explore barriers in greater detail, provide additional scaffolding/support
• Continue monitoring SI/risk factors
• Assess sleep, appetite, basic self-care
• Discuss concrete plans for managing continued absence from team

Dr. Caroline Beaumont

PsyD, R.Psych                                                  Psy.D., psychologue agréée (R.Psych)
Licensed Sport & Performance Psychologist    Psychologue spécialisée en sport et performance
Montreal Metros                                            Montréal Métros

Chapter End Notes

The HTML formatting was killing me. Might update with more Monday but I wanted to get something out today.

Also really thought I would reply to all coments but there are so many! I love all your thoughts, ideas, and concerns; some are in the plan to be addressed, but have not been touched on yet! Some will not be addressed at all - but I hope you enjoy any way :]

Chapter 5

Chapter Notes

First, I am blown away by the response from everyone. Thank you, thank you, thank you. If this fic inspires you to do only one thing, please watch the documentary: The Legacy of Brendan Burke.

There is a link in the references chapter.

Now, back to our regular programming.

March 25 2019 9:14 PM

ESPN.com

Captains' absences crushing playoff hopes

Raiders, Metros struggling as Rozanov, Hollander remain scratched
Greg Wyshynski
March 25, 2019

BOSTON -- The numbers tell the story: won just once in five outings without Ilya Rozanov. The Boston Raiders are collapsing at the worst possible time.

Montreal isn't much better. Shane Hollander's been out since March 20 -- the same night Rozanov was scratched -- and the Metros have managed just five points in five games.

Neither captain is close to returning. Neither team will say why.

"It's a League matter," Raiders coach Jim LeClaire said Tuesday.

The timing couldn't be worse. With twelve days left in the regular season, Boston's once-comfortable division lead has shrunk to three points. Montreal is clinging to the final playoff spot by two points.

THE CONNECTION

Last week, the MLH announced seven individuals across four teams are under investigation for integrity violations. Boston and Montreal are among those four teams.

The fact that both captains were scratched the same night using identical language -- "personal matter" -- has the hockey world asking questions.

Shane heard his mother's key in the lock before he knew she was coming over. He'd given her a spare when he first bought the place, just in case. Now he was a little annoyed. He hadn't been answering his phone much, and she'd apparently decided that gave her permission to just show up.

"Shane?" Yuna's voice carried from the entry. The sound of her shoes coming off. Rustling of shopping bags. "I brought groceries."

Of course she had. Shane was sprawled on the couch in sweatpants and a threadbare McGill shirt, watching game tape on his laptop with the sound off. The apartment was dim. He'd stopped opening the blinds around day three of his forced exile. Hadn't shaved in a week. Had kept up his exercize regimen because if he didn't, he'd actually go nuts. 

Yuna appeared in the doorway to the living room, took one look at him, set her bags down with purpose.

"Shower," she said. Not a question. "Now."

"Mom, I'm fine..."

"You're not fine. Shower, shave, and put on clean clothes. I'm making lunch."

Shane considered arguing, realized he didn't have the energy. Besides, she was right. He hadn't showered since yesterday morning, and he'd slept in this shirt. He closed the laptop and headed for the bathroom without another word.

Twenty minutes later, he emerged clean-shaven and wearing fresh clothes to find his apartment transformed. The blinds were open, letting in weak March sunlight. His mother had cleared the coffee table of empty water bottles and protein bar wrappers. Something was simmering on the stove that smelled like miso soup. Cracked windows let cold air slip in. Aired out the slept-in stink. He rubbed at one eye, ran his hands through his hair.

"Better," Yuna said, looking him over. "Sit."

Shane sat at the small kitchen table while his mother moved around the space with practiced efficiency. She'd unpacked a box of onigiri, poured steaming miso directly into a mug, and dumped out sunomono, takana-zuke, takuwan. Comfort food from his childhood. His throat tightened. While she moved around he set the table - spoons, chopsticks, water glasses. Grabbed the pitcher from the fridge.

"I can feed myself, you know," he said, aiming for lightness. She looked up for a second. He tried to smile.

"I know." Yuna set it all closer to him. "Eat anyway."

They ate in silence for a few minutes. Shane hadn't realized how hungry he was until the food was in front of him. He'd been subsisting mostly on protein shakes and power bars, anything he could eat without thinking about it. He ploughed through two nitamago and half a nigirimeshi before he stopped to breathe. His mom handed him a glass of water, spooned up her own miso. 

"Your father wanted to come," Yuna said finally. "I told him to give you space."

"Thanks." Shane finished his onigiri. Dug into the sunomono. Looked up when she kept talking. 

"He's worried. We both are."

Shane set down his chopsticks. "I know. I'm sorry." He wiped across his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Don't apologize for being scared." His mother's voice was gentle but firm. "Apologize for not calling me back."

"Sorry." He said. "I just... I didn't know what to say."

Yuna reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "You don't have to say anything. I just need to know you're okay."

"I'm okay."

His mother gave him a look that said she knew he was lying but would let it pass. For now.

They finished eating, and Shane helped her clean up. Packed the leftovers into his fridge. Tried to, until she waved him away and took over the sink herself. He loaded the dishwaster then leaned against the counter, watching her wash the spoons like that was important, her focus on that with the same methodical care she brought to everything.

"Mom," he said. "Can I ask you something?"

"Always."

"When you and Dad... when you both found out about me... about Ilya... how did you take it?"

Yuna was quiet for a moment, rinsing a bowl under the tap. "We were confused at first. Your father especially. He didn't understand why you'd hidden it for so long."

"What did you tell him?"

"That you told us when you were ready." She turned off the water and dried her hands. "We love you, Shane. That hasn't changed."

"But you're disappointed."

"We're worried," Yuna corrected. "About what this means for you." She paused. "Your father keeps asking if you're safe."

Shane laughed bitterly. "Define safe."

His mother turned to face him fully. "He means... What happens when people decide... You can't control what other people do."

The weight of that settled over them both. Shane had been too young to remember much, but he had flash-cut images of times at the rink, at the store, walking down the street -  the way his father's jaw tightened whenever someone asked where Shane was really from, if he was adopted, said how good his English was. His obaa chan still had the ID card she'd been forced to carry, kept it in a drawer in the kitchen. The blank fear in her eyes when she caught him under the bathroom sink, pulling a Hills Bros coffee can stuffed with cash. 

"I'm not in danger," Shane said, because it wasn't that kind of danger. Incarceration, expulsion, detention, dispersal.

"Probably not," Yuna agreed. "But he worries. It's what fathers do." She paused. "He also said to tell you that he's proud of you."

Shane looked up sharply. "He did?"

"He's always proud of you." Yuna dried her hands and patted his cheek. 

Something in Shane's chest cracked open. He'd been so worried about disappointing them, even though he loved them so much, that he hadn't considered they might understand in a way others couldn't.

Yuna moved back to the table, sitting down and gesturing for Shane to join her. He did. Settled into the chair across from her.

"So," she said. "Tell me about this charity."

Shane blinked at the subject change. "What charity?"

"The one Ilya emailed me about." His mother's expression was carefully neutral. "A few months ago."

"He what?" It was news to Shane. 

"He emailed me," Yuna repeated. "He wanted my input on starting a hockey camp program. With proceeds going to mental health support. He said you'd agreed on a name."

Shane stared at her. "When?"

"After the summer. I know you had been thinking about it for a while, and he wanted to make sure it was something I thought would be possible. Something that would help kids..." She paused. "You suggested... You want to name it after his mother."

"Yes," He swallowed around the word. Shane's vision blurred. He blinked hard, trying to keep it together. "I didn't know he'd contacted you."

"He asked me not to tell you. He wanted to work on it a bit more." Yuna smiled sadly. "I don't think he imagined the surprise would come like this."

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him I thought it was a wonderful idea. That you'd be proud to be part of it." She reached across the table again, taking both his hands this time. "He loves you very much, Shane."

"I know." Shane's voice cracked. "I know he does."

"Have you talked to him? Really talked to him?"

"I... for a bit last night. Just about the substitutions."

"That's not what I asked."

Shane pulled his hands back, rubbing his face. "I don't know what to say to him, Mom. Every time I think about calling him, I just... I freeze. What am I supposed to say? 'Sorry we're in this mess because someone hacked your phone?' 'Sorry the league found out about us?' 'Sorry I can't fucking handle any of this?'"

"You could start with 'I love you,'" Yuna suggested quietly.

"He knows I love him."

"From where I'm sitting, you've been avoiding him for a week."

Shane flinched. "The union said we could talk, but I think we should be careful..."

"The union is worried about legal liability. I'm worried about you." Yuna's voice was firm. "You're going through the hardest thing in your life, and you're doing it alone instead of with the person you love. Why?"

"Because I'm... fuck." The words burst out before Shane could stop them. "Sorry. Fuck, I'm sorry. I'm scared that he's angry at me. I'm scared that I'm angry at him. I'm scared that when we actually talk, I'm going to say something stupid, something I can't take back. I'm scared that this whole thing has broken us and I don't know how to fix it."

"Oh, Shane." His mother's expression softened. "You can't fix it by yourself. You have to talk to him."

"What if I can't?"

"You can. You will." Yuna stood, came around the table, and pulled him into a hug. Shane was taller than her, had been since he was sixteen, but he folded into her embrace like he was still a child. "You're scared and doing it anyway."

Shane folded into her shoulder for the first time since this whole nightmare started. IT was warm and dark in the fold of her neck. She held him for a few moments, and he let himself feel taken care of.

When he finally pulled back, wiping his eyes, she cupped his face in her hands.

"Call him," she said. "Today. Don't wait. Don't overthink it. Just call him and tell him what you told me."

"What if he doesn't answer?"

"Then you leave a message and try again tomorrow. But Shane, he'll answer. That boy has been waiting for you to reach out since this started."

"How do you know?"

Yuna smiled. "Because I know what it looks like when someone loves you that much. And he does."

CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

March 25, 2019

Parents of Minor Athlete File Federal Lawsuit Over Breach Privacy Violations

Case could set precedent for how stolen data involving minors can be used

By Brad Wolverton

The parents of a college hockey player have filed a federal lawsuit against multiple media organizations and the still-unidentified hackers responsible for last week's massive data breach, alleging violations of their son's privacy rights as a minor.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, names TMZ, Barstool Sports, and Deadspin as defendants, along with "John Does 1-50" representing the unknown individuals who executed the breach.

The plaintiff, identified in court documents only as "Minor Athlete J.S.," was 17 years old when many of the leaked communications were sent. He turned 18 in January, three months before the breach became public.

According to the complaint, media organizations published excerpts from the athlete's private messages without parental consent, including conversations discussing his recruitment process, family financial concerns, and personal relationships.

"Our son's childhood communications were stolen and published for profit," the parents said in a statement released by their attorney. "He was a minor. He had no ability to consent to this invasion of his privacy, and neither did we as his parents."

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and injunctive relief requiring the removal of all content involving the minor from the defendants' platforms.

Legal experts say the case could establish important precedent for how media organizations handle stolen data involving individuals who were minors when the communications occurred.

"This is uncharted territory," said Jen D'Lanzo, a privacy law professor at the University of Pennsylvania. "We have minors' private communications obtained through criminal activity, published by media organizations claiming First Amendment protections. Courts will have to balance press freedom against privacy rights for children."

The defendants have not yet filed responses to the lawsuit. TMZ and Barstool Sports declined to comment. Deadspin did not respond to requests for comment.

The NCAA, which is not named as a defendant, issued a brief statement: "We are monitoring this case closely as it raises important questions about the privacy rights of student-athletes, particularly minors."

The lawsuit comes as college athletics faces mounting pressure to address the breach's impact on student-athletes. More than 3,000 college athletes had communications exposed, including over 400 who were minors when at least some of the messages were sent.

THE WASHINGTON POST

March 26, 2019

Woman at Center of Davidson Case Files Restraining Order, Breaks Silence

First public statement describes "pattern of violence"; Sentinels guard remains on indefinite suspension

By Des Bieler

The woman whose relationship with suspended Washington Sentinels guard Terrell Davidson was exposed in leaked text messages filed for a restraining order Tuesday and issued her first public statement describing what she called "a pattern of escalating violence."

The woman, whose identity is being withheld at her request, filed the emergency protective order in D.C. Superior Court Tuesday morning. According to court documents, the order prohibits Davidson from contacting her or coming within 500 feet of her residence or workplace.

In a statement released through her attorney, she confirmed that the incidents Davidson described in leaked messages to a teammate were accurate.

"Everything he said in those texts happened," the statement read. "I lived in fear for months, too scared to tell anyone because he convinced me no one would believe me over him. I'm grateful the truth is finally out, even though I never wanted it to come out this way."

The statement described multiple incidents of physical violence dating back to last summer, including the incident Davidson referenced in messages as occurring the night before a January home game.

"He would apologize after, promise it wouldn't happen again, tell me he loved me," the statement continued. "Then it would happen again. The text messages don't show half of what I went through."

Davidson, 24, was suspended indefinitely by the Sentinels on March 17 after the messages became public. The league is conducting its own investigation parallel to the team's actions.

The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Tuesday it has opened a criminal investigation into the allegations.

"We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness," a police spokesperson said. "Domestic violence cases require thorough investigation, and we are working closely with the alleged victim."

Davidson's attorney, Martin Freeman, released a brief statement: "Mr. Davidson denies these allegations and looks forward to addressing them through the appropriate legal channels."

The Sentinels reiterated their support for the woman and their zero-tolerance policy on domestic violence.

"Our thoughts are with the victim," the team said in a statement. "We will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement and the league's investigation."

The restraining order hearing is scheduled for next week.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

March 27, 2019

Federal Prosecutors Expand Turner Case, Add RICO Charges

Dogfighting operation allegedly spanned three states; two co-conspirators arrested

By Stacy St. Clair

Federal prosecutors filed additional charges Wednesday against suspended Philadelphia Aviators linebacker Elijah Turner, alleging he was part of a multi-state racketeering conspiracy involving illegal gambling and dogfighting operations.

The superseding indictment, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, adds RICO charges to the original counts filed following Turner's March 13 arrest. Prosecutors allege Turner and at least six co-conspirators operated dogfighting rings in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware between 2016 and 2019.

Two alleged co-conspirators, Jamal Thompson, 31, of Atlantic City, and Christopher “Chris” Adams, 28, of Wilmington, were arrested Wednesday morning on related charges.

According to the indictment, the operation generated more than $2 million in illegal gambling proceeds through dogfighting events held at rural properties across the three states. Turner allegedly provided financing for the operation and attended multiple fights, including events where he placed bets exceeding $50,000.

The indictment describes a sophisticated organization with designated roles: fight organizers, dog handlers, security personnel, and betting coordinators. Turner is alleged to have been a primary financier and "high-value bettor."

Text messages obtained through last week's data breach provided federal investigators with detailed evidence of the operation's structure, including discussion of fight schedules, betting lines, dog breeding programs, and efforts to avoid law enforcement detection.

"The defendant used his wealth and status to fund a barbaric criminal enterprise," U.S. Attorney William McSwain said in a statement. "These charges reflect the serious nature of animal cruelty and illegal gambling operations."

If convicted on all counts, Turner faces up to 20 years in federal prison and forfeiture of assets connected to the operation.

The Aviators, who placed Turner on the Commissioner's Exempt List following his initial arrest, declined to comment on the expanded charges beyond reiterating that Turner remains suspended indefinitely.

Turner is scheduled to be arraigned on the new charges next week. He remains free on $500,000 bond.

DALLAS MORNING NEWS

March 28, 2019

Religious Freedom Groups Rally for Mitchell as Agent Claims Team Interest

Controversy continues despite release; legal challenge expected

By Michael Gehlken

More than 200 protesters gathered outside AT&T Stadium Thursday afternoon in support of former Dallas Stampede quarterback Ryan Mitchell, three days after the team released him following controversy over his religious beliefs.

The rally, organized by the Texas Values Coalition and supported by several national religious freedom organizations, featured speakers condemning the Stampede's decision as religious discrimination.

"Ryan Mitchell's constitutional rights have been trampled," said Jonathan Saenz, president of Texas Values. "He was fired for expressing Christian beliefs in private conversations. That's not just wrong, it's illegal."

Rally attendees held signs reading "Religious Freedom Matters" and "Faith Not Hate." Several speakers framed Mitchell's release as part of a broader assault on Christian values in American culture.

The Stampede released Mitchell on Monday, citing "conduct detrimental to the team," after leaked text messages revealed extreme religious views including statements that LGBTQ individuals should face legal punishment.

Mitchell's agent, David Portnoy, told reporters Thursday that his client has received interest from "multiple teams" but declined to name specific organizations.

"There are franchises that value religious freedom and understand the difference between private beliefs and professional conduct," Portnoy said. "Ryan will play again."

However, league sources told the Morning News that no team has made a formal inquiry about Mitchell. The league has declined to comment on Mitchell's status or whether teams would face pressure not to sign him.

Mitchell, who has not spoken publicly since his release, is expected to address the controversy in a planned interview with a Christian media outlet next week.

ESPN

March 29, 2019

Collins Appeals Suspension; Dodgers Fire Bench Coach in Sign-Stealing Scandal

Two major breach-related developments as investigations continue

By Adrian Wojnarowski and Jesse Rogers

Collins Files Appeal

Los Angeles Titans All-Star forward DeMarcus Collins filed an appeal Friday through the players' union, challenging his 80-game suspension for violations of the league's anti-drug program.

The suspension, announced earlier this week, stemmed from leaked text messages that revealed detailed discussions of performance-enhancing drug use and protocols for avoiding detection.

The National Basketball Players Association confirmed it is representing Collins in the appeal process and released a statement criticizing the league's use of stolen communications as evidence.

"Players' privacy rights cannot be discarded simply because their communications were illegally obtained," the union said. "We will vigorously challenge any discipline based on evidence obtained through criminal activity."

The appeal sets up a potentially precedent-setting arbitration hearing that could determine whether leagues can discipline players based on data obtained through illegal hacking.

Collins, 26, would forfeit approximately $12 million in salary if the suspension is upheld. He has not commented publicly since the suspension was announced.

His trainer, Andy McBurns, was arrested earlier this week on charges of distributing controlled substances. Prosecutors allege McBurns supplied PEDs to at least six professional athletes across multiple sports.

The arbitration hearing is expected to take place within 30 days.

Dodgers Fire Bench Coach

In a separate breach-related development, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced Friday they have fired bench coach Bob Roenicy following MLB's investigation into sign-stealing allegations.

The decision comes after leaked text messages revealed Roenicy's alleged role in coordinating an electronic sign-stealing system during the 2018 season, including the postseason.

"After a thorough review, we have terminated Bob Roenicy's employment with the organization," the Dodgers said in a statement. "The conduct revealed in the investigation is unacceptable and inconsistent with our values."

MLB declined to comment on whether the league would impose additional discipline beyond the team's action.

Roenicy, 62, has not issued a public statement. His attorney, David Cornwell, released a brief comment: "Mr. Roenicy disputes the characterization of his actions and is considering his legal options."

The Dodgers are the fourth MLB organization to take personnel action related to sign-stealing allegations exposed in the March 12 data breach. The Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs all have ongoing investigations, with additional announcements expected in the coming weeks.

The league has not indicated when it will complete its investigations or what additional discipline might be forthcoming.

"Sign-stealing investigations are complex and require careful examination of evidence and witness interviews," Commissioner Rick Manfield said in a statement. "We are committed to getting this right, not getting it done quickly."

Spring training games continue as teams prepare for Opening Day on April 1, but the breach's shadow looms over the season.

Ilya was doing pull-ups in his home gym when his agent called. He'd been doing a lot of pull-ups lately. Something to burn off the restless energy that came from not being allowed to practice with his team, not being allowed to do the one thing that made sense to him. His arms were burning by the time he dropped from the bar and grabbed his phone.

"Kostya," he answered, breathing hard.

"Ilya. How are you holding up?" Konstantin Volkov had been his agent for six years, had negotiated his current contract, had always treated him fairly. Right now Ilya didn't want his concern. Didn't want to parse what Kostya knew or didn't know, what he thought about all this.

"Fine. Why you calling?"

"Just checking in. The team wanted me to pass along that they're hopeful you'll be cleared soon."

Ilya grabbed a towel, wiped sweat from his face. "Define soon."

"End of week, maybe. The League is still working through things."

"Is week. I miss almost two weeks already."

"I know. Believe me, everyone knows. The team is falling apart without you."

Ilya's jaw tightened. Boston was not doing too badly, limping onward; on one hand was good, but the other made him nervous. He'd been watching the games, even though it was torture. Watching Marlow try to fill the captain's role, watching the defence collapse without his presence in key situations.

"Marlow is doing his best," Kostya continued. "But he's not you. The whole team knows it."

"Then tell League to let me play."

"They're working on it. The investigation is wrapping up, from what I understand. Once they finalize discipline, you should be clear."

"What discipline?" Ilya demanded. "What I do wrong?"

Kostya was quiet for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice was careful. "You know I can't discuss the specifics. That's between you, your lawyer, and the MLHPA."

"Is bullshit."

"I know. But it's almost over."

Ilya walked to his kitchen, pulled a bottle of water from the fridge, drained half of it. "When is almost?"

"Friday, maybe. Monday latest. They know playoffs start next week. They can't keep you out much longer."

"Can't or won't?"

"Both." Kostya paused. "How are you doing otherwise? I've seen the media coverage." Shuffling over the line. "It's... intense."

Something in the way he said it made Ilya's shoulders tense. "Is fine."

"Ilya..."

"Is fine," Ilya repeated, harder. "I don't need babysitting."

"Ok. Ok." Kostya's voice gentled, but there was something else underneath it. Something Ilya couldn't quite read. "Have you talked to anyone? Therapist, team psychologist?"

"No."

"Maybe you should..."

"I talk to lawyer." Ilya said. "I talk to union. I talk to you. Is enough talking."

A beat of silence. Then, "Your family. Have they... have they been in touch?"

Ilya's grip tightened on the water bottle. "No."

"Ah." Another pause. "If you need me to handle anything, any statements or..."

"No statements." Ilya cut him off. "Nothing. You understand?"

"Of course. Of course." Kostya cleared his throat. "I'm here if you need anything."

"I need to play hockey."

"I know. Soon."

After they hung up, Ilya stood in his kitchen, staring at his phone. Kostya hadn't asked directly. Hadn't said anything explicit. But the careful way he'd circled it, the mention of family, the offer to handle statements. He suspected something was wrong. Ilya had no idea what Kostya thought about it, whether he'd said anything to anyone back home.

He pulled up Shane's text thread. Thought about their brief call, therapist mandatedpoliet. Barely a conversation. Ilya had tried to keep it light, tried not to push too hard. But every instinct in him wanted to call now. He wanted to hear Shane's voice, to know his mood, his tone, the way he breathed.

His thumb hovered over the call button.

Then he remembered how distant Shane had sounded, voice thin, saying, "I should go". Ilya put the phone down. If Shane wanted to talk, he would call. Ilya wouldn't push. He'd wait.

He'd been waiting for years. He could wait a little longer.

THE ATHLETIC

March 27, 2019

The Playoff Race Nobody's Talking About: How Two Scratched Captains Are Quietly Reshaping the Eastern Conference

The absence of Rozanov and Hollander has created uncertainty that could determine who makes—and who misses—the postseason

By Dom Luszczyszyn

[Subscriber Exclusive - 2,847 words]

[EXCERPT]

There are nine days left in the regular season, and we still don't know when, or if, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander are coming back.

That's not just a problem for Boston and Montreal. It's a problem for the entire Eastern Conference playoff race.

Since March 20, when both captains were scratched for "personal reasons," neither team has looked quite right. Boston is 1-4 in that stretch. Montreal sits at 2-2-1. Small sample size, sure, but these aren't ordinary circumstances. Neither team will say when their captains might return. Neither will the League.

And with every game that passes without clarity, the postseason picture shifts.

The Real Problem Isn't The Record

Let's be clear: Boston and Montreal are good teams. They're not going to suddenly forget how to play hockey because their captains are out for a week. The Raiders still have a deep roster and one of the best defensive cores in the league. The Metros still have the scoring depth that got them into playoff position in the first place.

The early returns haven't been great, but five to seven games isn't enough to establish a trend. Could be bad luck. Could be a tough stretch of schedule. Could be teams still adjusting to the leadership void.

The problem isn't that these teams are collapsing. The problem is nobody knows how long this lasts.

The Uncertainty Factor

Start with the standings. Boston (102 points, second in the Atlantic) looked locked into home ice for Round 1 two weeks ago. Now Tampa Bay (99 points) is three points back with a game in hand. The Raiders aren't in freefall, but they're losing ground they can't afford to lose, and they're doing it without knowing if their best defenseman and captain will be back for the stretch run.

Montreal's situation is more precarious. The Metros (93 points) are clinging to the second Wild Card by two points over Columbus. Carolina is three points back. When you're fighting for the final playoff spot, every game matters. Going .500 over a week isn't a disaster, but it's not what you need when you're trying to hold off two teams breathing down your neck.

Here's where it gets complicated: these teams aren't operating in a vacuum. If Montreal slides and Columbus jumps them, Carolina's path to the playoffs narrows. If Boston falls to a Wild Card, the entire Atlantic bracket reshuffles. Tampa Bay might get an easier matchup. Toronto's path could open up.

All of this, who plays whom, who gets home ice, who even makes it, is being influenced by two players sitting at home for reasons the League refuses to explain.

And unlike an injury where you know the timeline, or a suspension where you know the terms, this is completely open-ended. How do you game-plan for the playoffs when you don't know if your captain will be available? How do you adjust your roster or your strategy or your line combinations when the answer might change tomorrow?

You can't. So you wait. And while you wait, other teams keep playing.

The Information Vacuum

I've covered hockey long enough to recognize the usual beats of a scandal. Player does something. League investigates. Discipline gets announced. Everyone moves on.

This isn't that.

Neither team has said anything beyond variations of "personal matter." Neither player has issued a statement. The League confirmed an investigation is ongoing but won't identify who's involved or what they're investigating.

The MLH announced last week that seven individuals across four teams are under review for potential integrity violations. Boston and Montreal are among those four teams. The timing of the scratches, simultaneous, using identical language, suggests Rozanov and Hollander are connected to whatever this is.

But we don't actually know that. We're all just connecting dots and hoping we're not drawing a giraffe.

The lack of clarity has created a speculation vacuum. I've seen theories ranging from match-fixing to witness protection to elaborate conspiracies about the League manipulating playoff seeding.

Reality is probably more mundane: they're caught up in the March 12 data breach investigation, they've been advised not to speak publicly, and the League is working through whatever process determines if they've violated any rules.

Mundane or not, the impact is real. Two playoff teams are preparing for the postseason without knowing if they'll have their captains, and nobody will tell them why or for how long.

Precedent Doesn't Help

The League has faced integrity crises before. But those investigations had clear timelines and transparent processes. Accusations were made public. Evidence was presented. Discipline was announced.

This? This is different. The breach has created a situation where the League is trying to investigate potential violations using evidence obtained through criminal activity. They're navigating privacy concerns, union negotiations, and legal exposure while also trying to maintain competitive integrity during a playoff race.

It's unprecedented, and it shows.

The problem isn't just that two players are out. The problem is that the League's investigation timeline is now a competitive factor. How quickly they move, how thoroughly they investigate, when they announce their findings, all of it affects who makes the playoffs and in what position.

The Integrity Question

Here's what gnaws at me: if Rozanov and Hollander did something that warrants being removed from play, then remove them. Announce it. Issue discipline. Let everyone adjust and move forward.

But if they haven't done anything suspendable, or if whatever they did warrants a fine or minor penalty, then keeping them out during a playoff race creates its own integrity issue.

You're potentially deciding playoff seeding, matchups, and qualification based not on performance but on bureaucratic timeline. The League's internal investigation process becomes more important than what happens on the ice.

Every day these players sit is another day their teams operate at a disadvantage relative to the rest of the conference. Maybe that disadvantage is small. Maybe these teams would have lost some of these games anyway. But maybe it's the difference between home ice and a road series. Between making the playoffs and going home early.

If the League believes they need to be kept out, fine. But they owe it to everyone, the teams, the players, the fans paying to watch a legitimate competition, to explain why. And if they don't need to be kept out, then clear them and let everyone move on.

What the Rest of the League Thinks

I reached out to several team executives and coaches around the conference. Most declined to comment on record, citing the ongoing investigation. Off the record, the reactions ranged from sympathy to frustration to frank self-interest.

"Nobody wants to win because the other team's captain got scratched for something nobody understands," one Eastern Conference GM told me. "But if it happens? I'll take it."

Another was more concerned about precedent. "What happens when this is my guy? When do I find out he's being scratched? How long do I have to plan without him? The League needs to figure this out."

A Western Conference coach was blunter: "They should either suspend them or clear them. This in-between bullshit helps nobody."

The MLHPA has been characteristically tight-lipped, issuing only a brief statement that they're "working with the League to ensure players' rights are protected throughout this process." Translation: they're trying to figure out what the hell to do too.

What Comes Next

My best guess? We get clarity by Friday. The League knows it can't let this bleed into the final week without resolution. Too many teams affected. Too many competitive balance questions. Too much pressure.

Best case: both players cleared, return for the final push, playoff race continues as normal.

Worst case: suspensions issued effective immediately, fundamentally altering who makes the postseason and where they seed.

Most likely: some middle-ground resolution, fines, maybe a game or two, issued with vague language that satisfies no one but allows everyone to move on.

Until then, we wait. Boston and Montreal keep playing without their captains. The playoff picture keeps shifting. And two of the League's best players keep watching from home, for reasons nobody will explain.

The regular season ends April 6. That's nine days to sort this out.

The question isn't whether Boston and Montreal can survive without Rozanov and Hollander for a week. They probably can.

The question is whether they should have to.

Dom Luszczyszyn is a senior hockey writer for The Athletic.

MAJOR LEAGUE HOCKEY - INTERNAL EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE

CONFIDENTIAL

From: Laura Greene-Thompson l.greenethompson@mlh.com
To: Guy Powers g.powers@mlh.com; James Porter j.porter@mlh.com; Dennis Walsh d.walsh@mlh.com
Cc: Richard Feldman r.feldman@mlh.com (External Counsel)
Date: March 27, 2019, 7:42 AM
Subject: URGENT - The Athletic Article

Guy,

The Athletic published this morning. Dom Luszczyszyn, 2,800 words on Rozanov and Hollander. It's everywhere.

Key points:

• Directly connects both players to the investigation
• Questions the competitive fairness of keeping them out
• Argues our investigation timeline is deciding playoff seeding
• Claims executives frustrated with the process
• Predicts MLH will announce by Friday

The competitive integrity argument is the problem. If we keep them out longer, we're affecting playoff outcomes. If we clear them now, it looks like we caved to media pressure.

Montreal is two points up on Columbus for the final Wild Card spot with 5 games left. If they miss by a point and Hollander was scratched for something that doesn't warrant suspension, we've got a major legitimacy problem.

Boston could lose home ice to Tampa Bay. Every game matters.

Recommendation: Decision by Friday. Regular season ends April 6—that's 9 days. We can't let this bleed into the final week.

Can we discuss this morning?

Laura

From: Guy Powers g.powers@mlh.com
To: Laura Greene-Thompson l.greenethompson@mlh.com; James Porter j.porter@mlh.com; Dennis Walsh d.walsh@mlh.com
Cc: Richard Feldman r.feldman@mlh.com
Date: March 27, 2019, 8:15 AM
Subject: RE: URGENT - The Athletic Article

I read it.

Where are we with Rozanov and Hollander? March 21 meeting was a week ago. What do we actually have that warrants keeping them out?

I need clarity on:

• What they did
• What rules were broken
• What discipline is defensible
• How this differs from Webb/St-Simon

10 AM call. Include Morrison from the investigative team.

Guy

From: Richard Feldman r.feldman@mlh.com

Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 9:23 AM

To: Guy Powers; Laura Greene-Thompson Cc: Savannah Morrison Subject: Rozanov/Hollander - Legal Summary

Guy,

Here's where we are.

We have an 8-year undisclosed relationship between two captains on competing teams. Both signed false disclosure forms every year from 2012-2018. Deliberate concealment throughout with fake contact names, hotel bookings, the works.

What we don't have is any evidence of game manipulation, strategic information sharing, gambling activity, or third-party exploitation. Morrison's performance analysis actually shows both played at or above their normal levels in games after contact.

The rule violations are clear. False statements on mandatory disclosure forms and breach of Section 12.4 conflict-of-interest requirements in both their contracts.

But here's the key distinction. Webb and St-Simon had gambling, criminal exposure, financial motive. This is a disclosure violation with zero competitive impact.

Morrison recommended 20-game suspensions starting next season, plus fines and compliance training. Honestly I think that's vulnerable to grievance. Twenty games for false disclosure forms when there's no gambling, no game-fixing, no competitive impact? An arbitrator will tear that apart. We'd probably lose.

The complicating factor is both players are closeted. Any public discipline risks outing them which creates real legal and ethical exposure for the league.

OPTIONS:

1. Fines only ($75K-$100K each): Proportionate but may look weak given optics
2. Fines + short suspension, time served (3-5 games credited): Middle ground, addresses optics
3. Full 20-game suspensions: Strong message but disproportionate, high grievance risk

The longer we keep them out, the more we affect playoff outcomes for conduct that had no competitive impact. The Athletic article isn't wrong about that.

Richard

From: James Porter j.porter@mlh.com
To: Guy Powers g.powers@mlh.com; Laura Greene-Thompson l.greenethompson@mlh.com
Date: March 27, 2019, 11:18 AM
Subject: Competitive Impact - Numbers

Guy,

If they don't return:

BOSTON: Currently 102 pts, 2nd Atlantic. At current pace (1-4-0 without Rozanov), they finish 103-104. Tampa (99 pts, 6 games left) finishes 105-106. Boston falls to Wild Card, loses home ice.

MONTREAL: Currently 93 pts, 2nd Wild Card. At .500 pace (2-2-1 without Hollander), they finish 96-97. Columbus (91 pts) and Carolina (90 pts) both have 6 games. Genuine risk Montreal misses playoffs entirely.

If Montreal misses by a point, we've decided playoff qualification based on investigation timeline for conduct Morrison says had no competitive impact.

That's the problem the article identifies.

James

From: Guy Powers 

March 27, 2019 2:34 PM

We're going with option 2

False disclosure forms are real violations

But Morrison found zero competitive impact keeping them out longer affects playoff outcomes

Suspension addresses the optics if we do time served we're not deciding the playoff race

Announce tomorrow with st simon and webb include R/H in category of "individuals fined for minor protocol violations names withheld unquote different violations different penalties st simon webb had gambling with insider info R/H had disclosure violations with no competitive impact

Laura I'll call both GMs tonight they need to know what happened and why we're handling it this way they deserve advance notice

We do not confirm names discuss details or connect to specific teams

Release Thursday evening both players cleared immediately after announcement

Sent from my iPhone

From: Laura Greene-Thompson l.greenethompson@mlh.com
To: Guy Powers g.powers@mlh.com
Date: March 27, 2019 3:41 PM
Subject: Draft Statement + GM Call Schedule

Guy,

Draft attached. Richard approved.

Statement structure:

• St-Simon (2 years), Webb (indefinite) - gambling violations
• Czech players (20 games) - organized gambling connections
• "Several individuals fined for minor protocol violations, names withheld"
• Your quote: investigation complete, different violations = different penalties, no competitive impact in cleared cases

Timing: Thursday 7pm release. Gets ahead of Friday news cycle, both teams play Friday night so players can return immediately if cleared by medical/coaches.

GM calls scheduled, tonight:

• 6:30 PM: Dan Sweeney (Boston)
• 7:00 PM: Marc Bergeron (Montreal)

Player attorneys notified simultaneously. They'll have ~24 hours before public announcement.

One question: Morrison prepared one-page summaries for each GM explaining the findings confidentially. Should we provide those during tonight's calls?

Laura

From: Guy Powers 

March 27 4:02 PM

Yes on the summaries. Send them encrypted after the calls.

When I talk to Sweeney and Bergeron tonight, emphasize:

Both players cooperated fully

Investigation found no competitive impact

This is about disclosure violations

We're protecting their privacy because that's the right thing to do, not because we're covering anything up

They get their captains back for the stretch run

The teams will understand why we handled it this way. And if they don't, that's a problem for later.

Statement approved for Thursday 7pm.

Sent from my iPhone

From: Laura Greene-Thompson l.greenethompson@mlh.com
To: Dennis Walsh d.walsh@mlh.com
Cc: Richard Feldman r.feldman@mlh.com
Date: March 27, 2019 5:15 PM
Subject: Media Prep - Anticipated Questions

Dennis,

After tomorrow's announcement, expect questions about:

"Who are the individuals fined for minor violations?" Response: "We're not identifying them to protect player privacy in accordance with CBA requirements. These were disclosure and communication protocol issues with no competitive impact."

"Are Rozanov and Hollander among those fined?"
Response: "I'm not confirming or denying any names. The investigation found no competitive impact in the cases we're clearing."

"Why keep them out for a week if this wasn't serious?" Response: "We needed to complete a thorough investigation. We don't rush these processes to meet competitive timelines, but we also don't delay unnecessarily once findings are clear."

"Did this affect the playoff race?" Response: "All cleared individuals are immediately eligible to return. Teams have the final week to prepare for playoffs with full rosters available."

"Why withhold names if they're cleared?" Response: "Privacy protections exist for a reason. These individuals have been disciplined appropriately. The public needs to know we took action. They don't need every detail to trust the process."

Do NOT engage with speculation about the nature of violations or specific individuals.

Laura

From: Guy Powers 

March 27 8:52pm

Both calls done.

Sweeney understood. Not happy about the disclosure violations, but he gets why we're handling it this way. Rozanov's back for practice tomorrow.

Bergeron was harder. Wants to conduct internal review of disclosure protocols. Fine. Hollander's cleared for team activities.

Both asked if this would leak. I told them if it does, it won't be from us. MLHPA counsel got courtesy call from Richard. They're not thrilled but they're not fighting us on this.

Nobody can accuse us of deciding a playoff race based on how fast we process paperwork.

Thursday afternoon we announce and this part of it is over. Everyone moves on.

Guy
Sent from my iPhone

The sun had been down for a while. Shane's phone rang while he was staring at the MLH press release reprinted to ESPN.com, thumb pulling down the website to refresh it. It hadn't sunk in until he could actually see it. Push notifications were stacking up: texts, emails, breaking news. 

MLH ANNOUNCES DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION

March 28, 2019

Following a comprehensive investigation into potential violations of league conduct policies, the MLH has announced the following disciplinary actions:

Boston Rangers Defenseman Victor St-Simon has been suspended for two years without pay for violation of league communication protocols and conduct detrimental to the league.

Philadelphia Flames Defenseman Marcus Webb has been suspended indefinitely for his role in facilitating unauthorized communications between organizations.

Three players from the Czech Republic national team pipeline have been suspended for 20 games each for involvement in activities connected to organized gambling operations. The league is working with international authorities on this matter.

Several other individuals have been issued fines for minor protocol violations. These individuals' names are being withheld in accordance with the league's disciplinary privacy policies.

"The integrity of our game is paramount," Commissioner Guy Powers said in a statement. "While we recognize that some of the evidence in this investigation was obtained through criminal means, we cannot ignore clear violations of league policy. These disciplinary actions reflect our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of conduct."

All suspended individuals have the right to appeal through the appropriate league and union channels.

The screen showed Pike's name, and Shane answered out of reflex.

"Hey."

"Hey, Cap." Pike's voice was warm, familiar. "You see the announcement?"

"Yeah." Shane fumbled to put it on speaker, checking his emails. 

"So you're coming back?"

Shane's throat tightened. "I think so. Waiting for something from MLHPA."

"But everyone knows," Pike finished. "Thibault was losing his mind."

"Really?"

"Really. I'm so excited to see you, man." Pike paused. "When do you think you'll be back at the rink?"

"Tomorrow, maybe? I need to talk to the union and my lawyer first, make sure I'm actually cleared."

"What did they get you for?"

Shane hesitated. The press release had been vague, "conduct detrimental to the league" and "failure to report a breach of protocol." Nothing specific. Nothing about Ilya. "I can't really talk about it."

"Okay. That's okay." Pike was quiet for a moment. "Listen, I don't know what you're dealing with, and you don't have to tell me. But I want you to know that whatever it is, the guys have your back. We all do."

"Thanks, Hayden."

"I'm serious. And Shane? We need you. Columbus is two points back and we've got five games left. You coming back? That's everything."

Shane's vision blurred. "I know. I'll be there."

"Good. Because Drapeau's been trying to do your job and he's terrible at it."

Shane laughed despite himself. "I'm sure he's fine."

"He's really not. He's a fucking goalie! He tried to give a pep talk before the Ottawa game and used a fishing metaphor that made no sense. Something about how we need to be patient like waiting for a bass? I don't know, I stopped listening."

"That sounds like Drapeau."

"Just get back here, okay?"

"I will. I promise."

After they hung up, Shane pulled up the press release again. The fine was bullshit, but it was better than a suspension. Better than being named publicly.

His phone buzzed. Ilya. Talk later?

Boston plays tomorrow, Friday. Montreal played on Saturday. They'd both be back for the final push.

Shane smiled. He'd take fourth line, he'd take five minutes of ice time. He'd take the bench if he could just see the ice. Be inside his own barn.

Before he could put the phone down, his mom called.

"Did you see?" Yuna asked immediately.

"I saw."

"So you're going back?"

"Tomorrow, probably. Need to talk to the team first."

"How do you feel?"

Shane considered. "Relieved. Scared. I don't know."

"That's normal." Yuna paused. "Have you talked to Ilya?"

"He texted. We're going to call later."

"Good. Shane, listen to me. Some of them are going to figure out you got fined. You need to be ready for that."

Shane's stomach dropped. "I know."

"But you also need to live your life. You can't hide forever."

"I'm not hiding."

"Aren't you?"

Shane closed his eyes. "Okay." He said, not agreeing to anything. 

"I'm proud of you, Shane."

His throat tightened. "I didn't do anything."

"You survived. That's something."

After they hung up, Shane sat with his phone, staring at Ilya's contact. The press release had been careful, surgical. The part about the Czech players... fresh chum in the water. But him and Ilya? Protected. Hidden. 

It wouldn't last. Pike was right. The timing was too obvious. Everyone polite, pretending in time for playoffs. Hopfully it would last long enough for them to finish the season. Long enough for them to figure out what came next.

His phone rang. Ilya, not waiting for tonight.

Shane answered immediately.

"Hi."

"Hi." Ilya sounded breathless, like he'd run to get the phone. "I couldn't wait. Had to hear your voice."

"Yeah. Me too."

"We're okay," Ilya said, and it wasn't a question.

"We're okay," Shane agreed.

"I'm coming back Friday. You're on the ice Friday?"

"Yeah. Morning skate."

"We're going to make playoffs," Ilya said fiercely. "Both of us."

"Yeah. We will."

Eventually, Shane yawned despite himself.

"You're tired," Ilya said. "Should let you go."

"I don't want to hang up."

"I don't either. But you need sleep. Big day tomorrow."

"Yeah." Shane paused. "Ilya?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I know." Ilya's voice was soft, fond. "I love you too."

"See you after the season?"

"See you after the season."

After they hung up, Shane felt lighter than he had in days. Not better, the situation was still complicated, but less alone. Like maybe they could survive this after all.

He texted his mom: We're okay.

She replied immediately: I know. Get some sleep. Love you.

Love you too.

Shane plugged his phone in, turned off the lights, and actually slept through the night for the first time since March 20.

Chapter End Notes

Honestly, I'm a little concerned about letting people down now, because there are so many wonderful comments. So many bright ideas, some better than my own. I am only one person!

I am not multiple experts in a trenchcoat, but I have worked many jobs. I am also am a white-passing immigrant on a work visa and have strong feelings about that, and student athletes. And sports gambling.
EDIT: Updated a few small points to make the timeline clearer. I wish I could reply to every comment, but I can't promise that.

Chapter 6

Chapter Notes

Shane pushed through the players' entrance at Bell Centre, nodding to security. First time back in nine days. The building felt different somehow - larger, less familiar. More like a monument.

The equipment room smelled the same: leather, sweat, tape adhesive, the faint chemical tang of whatever they used to clean the ice. Drapeau was already there, stretching near his stall. He looked up when Shane walked in.

"Cap," he said, grinning. "Welcome back."

"Thanks." Shane set his bag down in his usual spot.

Someone had kept it clean while he was gone. No dust, no clutter. Other guys filtered in. Mercier clapped him on the shoulder without saying anything. Laurent gave him a nod. Hayden actually hugged him, which was unexpected. Shane stood there awkwardly for a second before patting his back.

"Missed you, man," Hayden said.

"Missed you too."

By the time everyone had gathered, the room had that familiar pre-workout energy. Shane pulled on his  gear, compression shorts, team-issued shirt, sneakers for the gym.

Hayden slid onto the bench next to him.

"You good?" he asked quietly.

"Getting there."

"Marc wants to see you before we start. His office."

Shane's stomach tightened. "Now?"

"Yeah. Don't worry, it's not... it's not bad. Just talk to him."

Shane finished lacing his shoes and stood. The walk to Bergevin's office felt longer than it should have. He knocked twice.

"Come in."

Marc was behind his desk, reading something on his computer. He looked up when Shane entered, gestured to the chair across from him.

"Sit. Please."

Shane sat.

Marc looked away from the monitor and folded his hands on the desk. "How are you?"

"Fine."

"Really?"

Shane hesitated. "I'm managing."

"Good." Marc paused. "I want to be clear about something. What happened, the investigation, the disclosure forms, that's... between you, the league, and your lawyer. I'm not here to interrogate you about it."

"Ok."

"But I am your GM. And you're my captain. So I need to know: are you ready to play?"

Shane met his eyes. "Yes."

"Physically? Mentally?"

"Yes."

Marc studied him for a long moment. "The team needs you. We're two points up on Columbus with five games left. This is not the time to fuck around."

"I know."

"But if you're not ready, tell me now. I'd rather sit you than rush you back and have you half-present."

Shane shook his head. "I'm ready. I want to play."

"Alright." Marc leaned back in his chair. "We're not going to make a big deal about this. You're back, that's it. No press conference, no statement. You show up, you do your job. We move forward."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me. Just help us make the playoffs." Marc paused. "One more thing. The disclosure protocols. The league's updating them league-wide. Enhanced requirements, clearer language. It's not just you. Everyone has to comply going forward."

Shane nodded slowly. "Understood."

"Good. Now get out there. Off-ice starts in five minutes."

Shane stood, headed for the door.

"Shane?"

He turned back.

"Welcome home."

The weight room was comforting. Familiar clanking of plates, the rubber smell of mats, the steady thud of music playing low over the speakers. Shane joined the warm-up circle; dynamic stretches, mobility work, getting loose.

Thibault stood near the doorway, clipboard in hand, watching. He had been with Montreal for twelve years, nine as head coach. He caught Shane's eye and gave a small nod. No fanfare, no speech. 

They ran through the workout in groups. Shane was with the centers. Leg press, Romanian deadlifts, single-leg work. The movements were good, mechanical, requiring focus but not thought. Just execution.

Between sets, Hayden sidled up. "How's it feel?"

"Good. Really good."

"You ready for Saturday?"

Shane grinned. "Born ready."

After weights, they moved to the video room. Thibault had clips ready. Columbus's defensive structure, neutral zone coverage, power play tendencies. Shane sat in his usual spot, front row center. Hayden next to him. Laurent behind them.

"They're aggressive on the forecheck," Thibault said, pausing on a clip. "Two high, one low. But watch here..." He pointed to the screen. "Their D pinches hard on the weak side. If we can win the battle below the goal line and reverse it, we've got numbers."

Shane leaned forward, studying the gap. Columbus's defenseman was already moving before the puck carrier committed. Too eager. Exploitable.

"Cap, what do you see?" Thibault asked.

Shane didn't hesitate. "Their weak-side D is reading the play before it develops. If we can hold, fake the reversal, we can draw him in and hit the late man."

"Exactly." Thibault clicked to the next clip. "They did this twenty-three times against Ottawa last week. Gave up four odd-man rushes. That's our opportunity."

They went through more video. Analyzed special teams, neutral zone structure, individual matchups. Thibault was thorough, pointing out details Shane had missed during his time away. Who was playing hurt, who was on a hot streak, which lines were struggling.

When the session ended, most guys filtered out. Shane stayed, reviewing his own clips from before the suspension. Face-off wins and losses, defensive zone positioning, power play setups. Looking for rust, for habits he'd need to shake off.

Hayden lingered by the door.

"You coming?"

Shane glanced up. "Yeah. Just... one more minute."

But Hayden came back in instead and sat down next to him. The video screen was frozen on a clip from weeks ago: Shane winning a draw against Tampa.

"Can I ask you something?" Hayden said.

Shane looked over. "Sure."

"The investigation. Are you... are you okay? Like, actually okay?"

Shane set down the remote, rubbed his face. "I don't know. I'm better than I was a week ago."

"That's something."

"Yeah."

Hayden was quiet for a moment. "Look, I don't know what you were dealing with. And you don't have to tell me. But I want you to know... whatever it was, you're still our captain. My friend, my best friend. Nothing changes that."

Shane's throat tightened. "Thanks, Hayden."

"I mean it. The guys, we... I'll be honest. We all talked while you were out. Everyone was worried about you. Not about... We didn't care about what the league was investigating. DoPS is always pulling some shit." He put a hand on Shane's shoulder. "About you. Making sure you were okay."

"I appreciate that."

"So if you ever need anything... someone to talk to, someone to just sit with you and not ask questions—I'm here. We're all here."

Shane nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

Hayden stood, clapped him on the shoulder. "Good to have you back, Cap."

"Good to be back."

Last Hundred Meters

March 29, 2019

The Unequal Justice of the Sports Data Breach

Why Black athletes face criminal charges while white athletes get fines

By Rembrant Graye

Of the seven professional athletes arrested or facing criminal charges related to information exposed in the breach, six are Black. Of the athletes who've been fined, suspended, or otherwise disciplined administratively by their leagues without criminal prosecution, the overwhelming majority are white.

This isn't a coincidence. This is America.

Let's talk about who's actually getting hauled into court versus who's getting a stern talking-to from the commissioner's office. Elijah Turner? Federal racketeering charges for dogfighting and illegal gambling. Because apparently when a Black man does something terrible, we need to throw the entire RICO statute at him like he's running the Gambino crime family. Terrell Davidson is staring down a domestic violence investigation with charges likely coming. DeMarcus Collins is under investigation for PED distribution after his trainer got arrested. Then we've got three NBA players, all Black, under federal investigation for conspiracy and wire fraud. Oh, and one Latino MLB player facing tax evasion charges.

Now let's look at the other side. Marcus Webb got an indefinite suspension with exactly zero criminal consequences. Multiple MLB players got caught in sign-stealing schemes that literally altered championship outcomes and got... nothing. Some, maybe, will get fines and suspensions. The equivalent of being grounded. Multiple NFL players popped for PEDs and walked away with fines like they'd parked in the handicapped spot.

See the pattern? When white athletes screw up, it's an "internal matter." When Black athletes screw up, it's time to call in the feds.

Turner's case says it all. Yes, dogfighting is indefensible. He should face consequences. But RICO charges? Within days of the breach going public? Meanwhile, those MLB players who orchestrated elaborate cheating conspiracies are sitting at home serving suspensions, definitely not dodging asset forfeiture proceedings. None of them woke up to FBI agents at dawn.

Or take the PED mess. Collins's trainer is facing federal distribution charges. But the leaked data shows at least fifteen other athletes across multiple sports having nearly identical conversations about PED use. You know what happened to their trainers? Nothing. The athletes? League fines, maybe a few games off. The difference between a slap on the wrist and federal prosecution? Take a wild guess what color most of those other athletes are.

I'm not here to make excuses. I'm asking why identical bad behavior results in a team press release for some people and a federal indictment for others.

Ryan Mitchell, white conservative Christian, got exposed advocating killing LGBTQ people. His team released him. That was it. His agent is already fielding calls. Kyle Brennan got outed as having connections to far-right militia groups and the league just made sure there weren't any "active threats." He's still playing, still collecting paychecks.

But Turner's dogfighting ring gets exposed through the same data breach? Federal prosecutors brought RICO charges and asset forfeiture like he was Pablo Escobar.

Black athletes are being criminalized. White athletes are being disciplined.

...

 HOCKEY WILDERNESS

March 29, 2019

Why MLH's Breach Response Feels So Different

The smallest of the Big Four leagues is handling this crisis very differently from the others

By Mike D. Russo

Three weeks into the data breach scandal, and Major League Hockey is handling the crisis differently than every other major professional sports league.

The NBA has been similarly transparent. Commissioner Lapidary held a 45-minute press conference last week covering PED investigations, gambling concerns, and integrity measures going forward.

MLB went even harder. Open investigations into sign-stealing, multiple team press conferences, specific disciplinary timelines announced publicly.

The NFL has made twelve public statements since the breach went public. Multiple press conferences. Commissioner Goodell on camera twice addressing investigations and disciplinary proceedings.

MLH has made one statement. Ten people under investigation, four named. No specifics, no timeline, no press conference. Near-total silence..

And honestly? I'm not sure how I feel about it.

This is a country where Prime Ministers have weighed in on hockey for decades. Stephen Harper publicly warned during the 2012 lockout that the league was risking its brand and relationship with sponsors. Pierre Trudeau invited the Summit Series team to 24 Sussex Drive in 1972 after they beat the Soviets. Brian Mulroney called Wayne Gretzky's trade to Los Angeles a national tragedy. Jean Chrétien showed up to playoff games and chatted with players in the dressing room afterwards. Hockey has always been a matter of state up here, treated with the seriousness other countries reserve for... more headline-grabbing policy issues. When the league goes silent on something this significant, it registers differently in Canada than it does anywhere else.

But maybe I shouldn't be surprised the league is handling this the same way it handles everything else.

This is hockey. This is a league where three-quarters of the players are foreign nationals; Swedish kids and Russian stars and Canadian farm boys all learn the same unwritten rules about how you handle things. Where they all end up playing in an American league run out of a Manhattan office tower. And somehow, despite that thoroughly international player base governed by North American corporate structure, the default setting is always the same: keep it quiet, keep it internal, don't make waves.

I've covered this league for six years and I've watched it play out over and over. A guy gets scratched for upper body injury and three weeks later you find out it was a suspension. Teams announce mutual partings with coaches that everyone knows were firings. Players give the blandest possible quotes about the most dramatic situations because that's just what you do. "We're just focused on the next game." "Credit to the guys in the room." "We'll let the league handle that."

It's not lying, exactly. It's just... hockey.

So here's what happened. March 12, the breach goes public. March 20, MLH scratches four players simultaneously with no explanation. I'm sitting in the press box that night watching Boston play without Rozanov and getting the same non-answer from the coach I always get. "League matter. Next question." March 21, emergency closed-door meeting at headquarters that we only find out about because someone at the Times grabbed a halal truck lunch at the right time. March 28, announcement of suspensions and fines affecting ten individuals with the minimum required details. March 29, some players are cleared to return. Who? Anything I say would be speculation.

Compare this to the NFL's handling of Elijah Turner's case. Breach goes public March 12. FBI raids Turner's residence March 13. League places him on Commissioner's Exempt List with full public statement March 14. Federal RICO charges filed March 18. Regular updates. Everything in the open, litigated on social media before investigations even open a plastic baggie.

The NFL made it a public spectacle. MLH kept it behind closed doors, the way hockey always does.

The argument for transparency is straightforward. Public accountability serves the integrity of the sport. Other leagues have shown you can be forthcoming while protecting due process. The NBA named players under investigation while emphasizing presumption of innocence. MLB got specific about sign-stealing while noting investigations are ongoing.

The argument for privacy has merit, too. The MLHPA has negotiated stronger privacy protections than other players' associations. The CBA may be legally restrict what the league can disclose. And there's something to be said for not turning every disciplinary issue into a media circus.

Where it gets messy is competitive integrity. When MLH scratched Rozanov and Hollander on March 20 with no timeline, Boston and Montreal spent a week not knowing if their captains would return. You know what the coaches said when asked? "We're preparing like everyone's available." Translation: we have no idea either. The playoff race got warped by administrative uncertainty, and that's harder to defend.

This is a culture that emphasizes collective responsibility over individual accountability, team unity over public disclosure. Players learn young not to make themselves the story. Don't be that guy. Handle it in the room. Keep it internal.

It's the most beautifully dysfunctional thing about hockey. You've got Manhattan executives trying to govern a sport that's never been American at its core, staffed by players who learned in small-town Canadian rinks and European training systems that the cardinal sin is making waves. And somehow everyone just sort of goes along with it.

I've sat through hundreds of media availabilities by now. You ask about the suspensions. The coach says it's a league matter. You ask the captain. He says they're focused on what they can control. You ask the league. They refer you to the previous statement. Everyone stays on message. Nobody gives you anything real.

It's maddening. It's also kind of impressive in its consistency.

Up here, we understand hockey culture. We get the code, the unwritten rules, the emphasis on team over individual. But we also remember the lockouts, the labor disputes, the times when that same tendency toward closed-door decision-making served the league poorly. When Prime Ministers felt compelled to comment publicly because hockey matters that much.

Can this approach survive in 2019 when everyone expects immediate answers about everything? Probably yes, because hockey fans generally get it. Because the audience is smaller and more invested in the culture. Because this is a league that can get away with opacity in ways the NFL absolutely cannot.

But it means MLH will always be the odd one out. To be clear: the MLH has made a deliberate choice about how to handle this crisis, and that choice reflects deep-rooted cultural values about privacy, collective responsibility, and institutional discretion.

Time will tell whether those values can coexist with the transparency expectations of contemporary professional sports governance.

From up here, we're watching. And we're not entirely sure what to make of it.

Ilya's phone rang while he was making coffee. He was looking forward to morning skate, to the warm-up later, to the game. Probably would be riding pine but he would be there, at the ice. He almost didn't answer; if it wasn't Shane it was telemarketers and scam calls and bullshit. But something made him pick up. The Boston area code, maybe. 

"Allo?"

"Ilya. It's Svetlana."

He almost dropped the phone. They switched to Russian automatically. "Hello, hi. How are you?"

"I'm fine. More importantly, how are you?"

Ilya's hand tightened on the phone. "I'm... fine. Why are you asking?"

There was a long pause. "Ilya, I know you. I've known you since you were six years old. And I know when you're lying."

"Sveta..."

"I saw the news about the investigation. About you being scratched from games. And I wanted to check on you."

Ilya closed his eyes. Of course she'd seen. Of course she'd called. He should have expected it. "It's fine. Just a league matter. Nothing serious. They cleared me. I'm back."

"I know. I saw you're playing tonight." Her voice softened. "But that's not what I'm asking about."

He sank onto the couch, phone pressed against his ear. The coffee maker beeped behind him. He ignored it. "It's complicated."

"I imagine it is."

"I can't talk about the investigation. I can't say anything." His voice came out rougher than he meant it to.

"I'm not asking you to." Another pause. "But I am asking if you're okay. Really okay."

Ilya's throat tightened. He hadn't realized how much he needed someone to ask that question until she did. Someone who wasn't a lawyer or a league official or a teammate tiptoeing around him in the locker room. Someone from home. "I don't know."

"Fair enough."

They sat in silence for a moment. Ilya stared at the wall, at nothing. Finally, Svetlana spoke again.

"How is the team handling it? Boston."

"They're... struggling. We lost to Carolina. Lost to Tampa. Marlow is trying, but..." Ilya ran a hand through his hair. "They need me back. That's why I'm glad to be cleared."

"And St-Simon? I saw he was suspended."

"Two years." Ilya's voice was flat. "Gambling. He was working with Webb from Philadelphia, sharing information."

"Did you know?"

"No. No, I had no idea." Ilya stood, paced to the window. "We played together three years. I thought I knew him."

"People surprise us."

"Not like this." Not like finding out someone you trusted, someone you defended zones with, was selling information the whole time. Not like that.

Svetlana was quiet for a moment. "How are they filling his roster spot?"

"Called up Jamie Reeves from Providence. AHL defenseman. Good kid, but not ready for playoffs."

"And the lines?"

"Everyone moved up while I was out. Harrison to second pairing, Kowalski to third. It's a mess." Ilya pressed his forehead against the window. Cold glass, bright afternoon. "We lost Victor and me in the same week. Defense is still adjusting."

"But you're back now."

"Yes. Tonight." If he could just focus on hockey, maybe everything else would feel manageable again.

"That's good."

Another silence. Then Svetlana asked carefully, "And off the ice? How are you managing?"

Ilya's chest tightened. He thought about the lawyers, the questions, the way his phone felt like a weapon. The fear that wouldn't quite leave even though he'd been cleared. "Managing."

"Ilya."

"I'm fine, Sveta. Really." The lie tasted bitter. "Shane is... he's been good. We're talking. That helps."

"Good. I'm glad you have him."

"Me too."

"Okay." She didn't push. She never did. That was one of the things he'd always loved about her. "But if you need to talk..."

"I know. Thank you."

They talked for a few more minutes; talked about the local teams, the parties she'd been to, her latest boyfriend and how bored he'd made her over a long weekend. Moscow spring coming early, almost summer warm. Normal things. Safe things. By the time they hung up, Ilya was steadier. 

He pulled up his text thread with Shane. Thought about telling him about the call. About how good it was to hear Russian again, to talk to someone from home who just cared. Decided he would, later. After the game.

He finished his coffee standing at the window, watching traffic below. Morning skate in an hour. Game tonight. He could do this. Show up. Play. Be professional.

Ilya arrived at TD Garden three hours before puck drop. Early, even for him, but he wanted the extra time. Needed it.

The arena was quiet. A few equipment guys moving around, some early media setting up. Ilya made his way to the locker room, dropped his bag in his stall. His nameplate was still there. Same spot it had been for nine years.

He was taping his stick when Jamie Reeves appeared in the doorway.

"Captain. Hey. You got a minute?"

Ilya looked up. The kid looked nervous. "Of course. Come in."

Jamie sat down on the bench across from him, fidgeting with his gloves. "I just... I wanted to ask. About tonight. About what I should expect."

"First MLH game?"

"Yeah."

Ilya set down his stick. "How you feeling?"

"Terrified," Jamie admitted. "I mean, honored. Excited. But mostly terrified."

"Is normal."

"Coach told me I'm third pairing to start. Playing with Kowalski."

Ilya nodded. "Kowalski is good partner. Smart player."

"I just... I don't want to mess this up. We're a week from playoffs. The team needs me to not be a liability."

"You won't be."

"How do you know?"

Ilya smiled slightly. "Because Sweeney doesn't call up liabilities. He calls up players who are ready."

Jamie looked unconvinced. "I've never played at this level. I've never been in a playoff race. What if I freeze up?"

"Then you learn from it and do better next shift." Ilya leaned forward. "Jamie, I watch you in Providence sometimes. You're good. You make smart decisions. You don't panic."

"That was against AHL competition."

"And now you play MLH competition. Is harder, yes. But same fundamentals. Same hockey."

Jamie absorbed that. "Did you feel this way when you got called up?"

"Yes. Absolutely."

"What did you do?"

Ilya thought back to 2010, arriving in Boston as an eighteen-year-old who spoke shitty English, terrified he'd be sent back to Russia before he proved himself. "I focused on things I could control. My positioning, my effort, my preparation. Everything else..." He shrugged. "Everything else is noise."

"That's good advice."

"Is easy to say. Harder to do."

Jamie smiled. "Yeah."

Other players started filtering in. Marlow gave Ilya a nod, came over to clap him on the shoulder. "Good to have you back, Cap."

"Good to be back."

Warm-ups were different from the start. Only a week away shouldn't have thrown him off this badly. Ilya stepped onto the ice and the Garden was already half-full, early arrivals settling in. The cold hit his face, sharp and clarifying. He took a lap, getting his legs under him, feeling the ice. Tampa's players were running drills on the other side. Ilya could see Chris Mathie, their physical winger, chirping at someone. Mathie caught his eye across the rink, said something to his linemate. They both laughed.

Ilya grabbed a puck and worked through his usual routine. Stick-handling, shooting, moving. The movements were automatic, muscle memory. But something was slightly off. Timing a fraction slow. His first shot missed the net entirely. He reset, tried again. This one hit the crossbar. Better. Lindy skated past. "Relax, Rozy. It'll come."

Ilya nodded, fired another shot. By the end of warm-ups, Ilya knew he was closer. Not perfect, but closer.

The national anthem droned on for longer than usual. Ilya stood at the blue line, helmet under his arm, trying to calm his breathing. The singer's voice echoed through the Garden. The crowd was on its feet. When it finished, Ilya skated to the bench. Cassidy was waiting with the lineup board.

"Rozanov, you're starting. First line. Keep it simple early, win your draws."

Ilya nodded, pulled on his helmet. Lindy and Marley were already waiting at the gate. Lindy bumped his shoulder. "Let's go to work."

They jumped over the boards for the opening faceoff. The Garden roared.

Ilya lined up for the draw, crouched low, stick on the ice. Tampa's center stared across at him. The ref held up the puck. "Ready?"

Ilya nodded. The puck dropped.

He won it clean, snapping it back to Harrison at the point. Burst forward, cutting toward the slot. Tampa's defense collapsed on him immediately. He let the pressure lean for a moment, spun off, found space along the half-wall. Lindy was streaking down the left side. Ilya fired a pass.

Lindy caught it on his tape and carried it into the corner. Tampa's defenseman pinned him. The puck squirted loose. Marley was there, digging it out, cycling it behind the net. Ilya relocated to the slot, stick on the ice, calling for it.

The pass came. Ilya one-timed it. The shot was high, missing the net by two feet. Cracked off the glass. Fuck, stupid.

Whistle.

Ilya skated back to the bench. First shift was never like that. Feeling out the pace, getting his timing back. He could feel the rust, the delay in his reads.

"Good start," Cassidy said as Ilya came off. "Next one."

The game settled into a rhythm. Back and forth, neither team giving much. Boston pressed but Tampa's defense was tight, collapsing lanes, blocking shots. Ilya's line got their chances but nothing clean. His timing was still off—passes a touch behind, shots missing by inches.

Three shifts in, Chris Mathie caught him in open ice.

Ilya had just received a pass in the neutral zone when Mathie arrived. The hit was clean but heavy, shoulder-to-shoulder, driving through Ilya's chest. The puck flew loose. Ilya went down hard, sliding across the ice.

For a second everything was white noise and ringing. Then he pushed himself up, shook his head. Mathie skated past, close enough to talk. "Nice break you had there, Rozanov. Vacation over?"

Ilya didn't respond. Just got his feet under him and headed to the bench for a change. From the Tampa bench, someone else chirped: "Back from suspension already?"

Ilya's jaw tightened. He could feel eyes on him from his own bench too. Questioning looks. Players wondering. They didn't know why he'd been scratched. Some of them probably thought the same thing Tampa did—that he'd been involved in the gambling mess, same as St-Simon.

Next shift, Ilya kept his head down and played. Focused on his reads, his positioning, doing his job. The rust was still there but fading with every shift.

Midway through the first, Jamie Reeves took his first real hit. The rookie defenseman had pinched down from the point, trying to keep the puck in at the blue line. Got it, started to turn up ice. Didn't see Mathie coming. The hit was enormous. Textbook but devastating. Jamie almost went down hard, skidding into the corner. The puck squirted free. Tampa recovered and went the other way on the rush.

Harrison scrambled back, covering. Markkanen made the save. Whistle.

Jamie pulled himself up slowly. Ilya could see him shaking his head, trying to clear it. Fresh meat looked pale, sick with nerves. As Jamie skated past, Mathie leaned in: "Welcome to the show, kid."

Jamie didn't respond. But Ilya saw the look on his face. For the rest of the period, Tampa kept testing Boston's defense. Without St-Simon, the structure was off. Harrison and O'Malley, who'd both moved up a pairing, were communicating but not quite in sync. Jamie was trying hard but making positioning mistakes. Small ones, but noticeable.

Ten minutes in, Boston got their first power play. Tampa's defenseman had hooked Lindy on a breakaway. Easy call. The Garden got loud.

Ilya jumped over the boards with the first unit. Power play was different... he set up lower, working the half-wall and net-front, creating chaos. O'Malley was quarterbacking from the point. Ilya settled into position near the right circle, stick ready.

The puck moved around the perimeter. O'Malley to Harrison. Back to O'Malley. Over to Lindy on the left wall. Lindy looked for Ilya cutting to the net. The pass came through traffic. Ilya one-timed it.

The goalie kicked it aside. Rebound to Marley. Shot. Blocked.

The puck came back to Ilya. He worked it down low, behind the net, looking for a passing lane. Found Lindy in the high slot. Lindy fired. The goalie made a glove save but couldn't control it. Scramble in front.

O'Malley wound up from the point. Ilya tipped it. The puck deflected wide.

No goal. But the crowd was buzzing now. Ilya knew it was clicking. There was chemy with his linemates, he could tip into instinct. This part of his game was still there.

The power play didn't score but generated four quality chances. By the time Ilya came off, the Garden was fully behind him. The questioning looks from the bench had shifted. He was still their captain. Still elite.

The period ended scoreless, but the pace was building. Tampa and Boston traded chances through the second half of the first, both teams feeling each other out, testing for weaknesses. The crowd stayed loud, energized by the playoff implications. 

Five minutes into the second period, Tampa scored. Broke the energy like a stickbutt to the mouth. The opportunity was obviously a defensive breakdown in Boston's zone; Harrison and O'Malley miscommunicating on a cycle play low. Both went to the same man. The other Tampa forward was wide open in the slot. Pass. One-timer. Goal. 1-0 Tampa.

The Garden went quiet. Ilya banged his stick on the bench as he watched the replay on the jumbotron. That gap... that's where St-Simon would have been.  That communication, that chemistry on the back end. They didn't have it anymore.

Cassidy was calm. "Shake it off. Answer back."

Ilya's line jumped over the boards. He won the faceoff, got it deep. They cycled hard, generating pressure. Lindy had a shot from the slot that the goalie robbed. Marley hit the post on the rebound. Close but nothing.

Boston kept pushing. They generated chances but couldn't finish. Tampa's goalie was sharp, turning away everything. The minutes ticked down. Boston pressed, Tampa defended, the clock working against the home team.

With three minutes left in the period, Boston broke through. Ilya picked up a loose puck at center ice, saw space. He started moving, carrying through the neutral zone, head up. Tampa's forwards converged but Ilya split them with speed, driving wide. He crossed the blue line, cut toward the net. The defenseman stepped up to challenge. Ilya chipped the puck past him into the corner.

Marley won the race, dug it out. Cycled it behind the net to Lindy. Lindy worked it along the half-wall, looking for an outlet. Ilya relocated to the high slot, stick on the ice.

The pass came back to O'Malley at the point. He held it, waiting. Marley was drifting toward the net, his check sagging off. O'Malley fired. Low, hard, aiming for traffic.

The shot hit a Tampa defenseman's shin pad. Deflected. Changed trajectory. The puck bounced awkwardly toward the crease. Marley reacted instantly, swatting at it mid-air, redirecting it past the goalie's blocker. Goal. 1-1.

The Garden erupted. Marley threw his arms up, turned toward the bench. Lindy crashed into him first. Ilya was there a second later, grabbing Marley's helmet, shook him. "Nice finish!"

"That deflection was perfect, Rozy!"

It hadn't been perfect. It had been lucky. But Marley had made something out of it. That's what good players did.

The second period limped to an end.

The locker room between periods was focused. Cassidy kept it simple, drawing on the whiteboard, talking through adjustments. "They're collapsing hard on Rozanov's line in the neutral zone. We need to use that. Quick breakouts, stretch passes, catch them cheating."

Ilya grabbed water, squirted some into his mouth. Spit it into the bucket. His legs were good. The rust was gone now, burned off through two periods of playoff-intensity hockey. He was himself again.

Lindy leaned over. "You're looking sharp out there."

"Feels good." Ilya adjusted his gloves. "Like I'm actually here."

"You're here." Lindy stood up. "Let's finish this."

The third period opened fast. Both teams knew what was at stake. Boston trying to hold second in the division, Tampa desprate to close the gap. They wanted to be contenders. The play was tight, defensive. Every shift was agony.

Ilya's line got caught on a long shift early. Tampa cycled in Boston's zone, working the puck around, looking for an opening. Ilya was exhausted, legs burning, but he stayed in the lanes, stick active. Finally Markkanen covered the puck. Whistle.

Ilya skated to the bench, gulping air. Cassidy put out the second line. Hammersmith's unit took over, generated some pressure, forced Tampa to ice it.

The game stayed tight. Neither team giving an inch. Chances were rare, clean looks even rarer. Markkanen was sharp for Boston. Tampa's goalie matched him save for save.

With ten minutes left, still 1-1, Tampa nearly scored. A two-on-one rush, beautiful passing. The shot beat Markkanen but hit the post. The rebound kicked to the corner. Boston cleared it.

The Garden exhaled collectively.

Five minutes later, Boston nearly broke through. Ilya won a faceoff in Tampa's zone, got it back to O'Malley. The puck moved around; crisp passes, looking for the seam. Marley got a shot off from the slot. Saved. Lindy crashed for the rebound but got tied up.

Back and forth. Neither team breaking.

With four minutes left, Tampa took a penalty. Tripping call on their defenseman, couldn't keep up with Hammersmith on the rush.

Power play. Boston's chance to take the lead.

Ilya jumped over the boards with the first unit. This was it. Four minutes left in a tie game, power play, fighting for playoff positioning. He settled into his spot on the half-wall, took a breath. The crowd was deafening.

The puck dropped. O'Malley won it, moved it around the perimeter. The power play unit set up, patient, looking for the opening. O'Malley to Harrison. Back to O'Malley. Over to Lindy.

Lindy looked for Ilya cutting to the net. The pass came through. Ilya one-timed it. Saved.

The puck stayed in. Boston kept possession, kept moving it around. Looking for the perfect shot. Marley worked it down low, behind the net. Found Ilya in front. Ilya tried to jam it through. The goalie covered.

Faceoff. Ilya lined up.

He won it, got it back to the point. O'Malley walked the line, looking. Fired a shot through traffic. Ilya tried to tip it. Missed by inches. The puck went wide, around the boards.

Lindy retrieved it. Cycled it back to the point. The power play kept working. One minute left on the man advantage. They needed to capitalize.

O'Malley found Harrison at the other point. Harrison looked for the shooting lane. Wound up. Fired.

The shot hit Ilya in the shin. He'd been screening, hadn't seen it coming. The puck deflected into the corner. Tampa cleared it down the ice.

Penalty killed.

The Garden groaned. Ilya skated to the bench, frustrated. They'd had their chance.

The game stayed tied. Three minutes left. Then two. Then one.

With forty seconds remaining, neither team had broken through. The pace was frantic now, both teams pressing. Cassidy had pulled Markkanen with ninety seconds left, going for the win in regulation.

Six attackers. Tampa defending desperately.

Boston had possession deep in Tampa's zone. O'Malley at the point, moving it around, looking for the opening. The puck came to Ilya below the goal line. He worked it, protected it, looking for a passing lane.

Found Marley in the slot. Marley one-timed it. Saved. Rebound to Lindy. Shot. Blocked.

The puck came back to Ilya. He tried to jam it through from a sharp angle. The goalie kicked it aside. Scramble in front.

Twenty seconds left.

Ilya won the battle, got the puck to Harrison at the point. Harrison fired. Through traffic, looking for a tip. The puck hit bodies, deflected somewhere. Ilya couldn't see it.

Then Tampa had it. Breaking out. Two-on-one the other way, empty net waiting.

Harrison backchecked hard. Got his stick in the lane, disrupted the pass. The puck slid into the corner.

Buzzer.

Tied. Over to OT.

The locker room before overtime was quiet. Players catching their breath, drinking water, trying to settle. Cassidy stood at the whiteboard.

"Three-on-three. We need to be smart. Don't cheat for offense and give them odd-man rushes. But when we get the chance, we finish."

Ilya nodded. Overtime was chaos—wide open ice, skilled players with room to operate. Mistakes got punished immediately.

"Rozanov, you're starting." Cassidy looked at him. "Lindholm and Harrison with you. Play your game."

The Garden was standing, screaming when the puck dropped. Ilya won the draw, got it back to Harrison. They moved it up ice carefully, testing Tampa's setup.

The ice stretched out, enormous, with only three skaters per side. Room everywhere. Ilya carried through the neutral zone, looking for an opening. Tampa's defenseman backed off, respecting his speed. Ilya crossed the blue line, cut toward the middle.

The defenseman stepped up. Ilya dropped it to Harrison trailing. Harrison fired from the point. The goalie made the save, covered it.

Whistle. Faceoff in Tampa's zone.

Ilya won it. Lindy picked it up, worked it along the wall. Ilya relocated to the slot. The pass came back to Harrison. Shot. Blocked. The puck squirted to center ice.

Tampa picked it up. Broke out fast, three-on-two the other way. Ilya backchecked hard, trying to get back. Harrison was the only man between them and Markkanen.

The Tampa forward carried wide, drew Harrison to him. Passed across. One-timer.

Markkanen slid across, made a desperation save. The rebound kicked to the corner. Ilya got there first, tied it up with a Tampa forward. They battled, sticks tangling. Finally Ilya kicked it free to Harrison.

Boston broke out. Ilya changed on the fly, exhausted from the long shift.

The second overtime shift was Hammersmith's line. They generated pressure but couldn't score. Tampa countered. Back and forth, chances both ways. The pace was exhausting.

Ilya jumped back over the boards. Fresh legs. Lindy and Marley with him this time, abandoning the defensive structure for offense. Three forwards in overtime. Risky but necessary.

He picked up the puck behind Boston's net. Started moving. Through the neutral zone, building speed. Tampa's defensemen backed off, trying to contain. Ilya crossed the blue line.

Lindy was streaking down the left side. Marley driving the right. Ilya had options.

He carried toward the middle, drawing the defenseman to him. Waited until the last second. Dropped it to Marley trailing.

Marley one-timed it from the slot.

Goal.

The red light flashed. The buzzer sounded. The Garden exploded.

Marley threw his arms up. Lindy crashed into him from the left. Ilya arrived a second later, grabbing both of them. The rest of the bench poured over the boards.

2-1 Boston. Final.

Four points in the standings. Tampa stayed three back. Home ice secured for another night.

Ilya felt bodies piling on top of him, heard the crowd roaring, the relief and joy mixing together. He'd played - really played. And they'd won.

When the pile finally separated, Ilya skated toward Markkanen, tapped his pads. "Good game."

"You too, Cap. Welcome back."

As the team went down the tunnel, Ilya told each of them he loved them; and he really did. 

The locker room was loud. Music blaring, guys shouting. It was more then the energy of a division win in late March. Ilya sat in his stall, still in full gear, letting it wash over him.

Cassidy appeared in the doorway. "Rozanov. Media in twenty."

Ilya nodded. "Yeah, coach."

"Hell of a game tonight." Cassidy moved on, working the room.

Ilya started stripping off his gear. His body ached—good pain, earned pain. The kind that reminded you why you played.

Marley dropped into the stall next to him. "That overtime pass was perfect."

"You made good finish."

"Team effort." Marley pulled off his jersey. "Good to get the win with you back."

"Good to be back."

Ilya stood up, headed for the shower. Under the hot water, he let himself feel the satisfaction of playing well, of helping his team win, of proving he still belonged. He had lived in the moment; nothing else had mattered. Just hockey.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

March 30, 2019

MLB Sign-Stealing Scandal: What We Know So Far

Four teams under investigation; firings, suspensions expected before Opening Day

By Paul Simon

Baseball's sign-stealing crisis continues to expand as Opening Day approaches.

What began with the Houston Astros has metastasized into a league-wide investigation affecting at least four organizations, possibly more. Commissioner Rob Manfred has promised "significant discipline" before the season begins April 1, but specifics remain unclear.

MLB has not ruled out expanding the investigation further.

CYCLING NEWS

March 30, 2019

Tour De Farce?

At least twelve riders implicated; UCI launches investigation

By Stephine Farrand

Professional cycling faces yet another doping crisis as leaked communications from the March 12 sports data breach reveal sophisticated performance-enhancing drug networks involving at least twelve current and former riders.

The Union Cycliste Internationale announced Friday it has opened formal investigations into riders from six different teams across WorldTour and Professional Continental levels. Text messages obtained through the breach show detailed discussions of EPO microdosing protocols, blood transfusion scheduling, coordination with team doctors, and testing evasion strategies.

Two Olympic medalists are among those implicated, though UCI has not released names pending completion of investigations. The revelations come as cycling continues trying to rebuild credibility after decades of doping scandals...

[Article continues]

THE AGE

March 30, 2019

Australian Athletes Caught in US Data Breach Fallout

AFL, cricket players' communications exposed; privacy concerns mount

By Jake Niall and Daniel Brettig

Australian sports are dealing with fallout from the massive American data breach, as communications involving at least thirty Australian athletes have been exposed.

The breach, which primarily targeted American university and professional athletes, caught several Australians including AFL players who trained in the United States during off-seasons, cricketers who participated in American T20 leagues, and rugby players who attended combines.

Three current AFL players had communications exposed, including text messages sent during training stints at IMG Academy in Florida. While none involve serious misconduct, the players' privacy has been violated. "These young men went to the United States to improve their skills," AFL Players Association CEO Pete Blackburn said. "They had every reasonable expectation their private communications would remain private. This breach is a violation of their fundamental rights."

Two Australian cricketers who played in minor American T20 leagues had phones compromised. Cricket Australia indicated the content does not reveal serious violations. "We're monitoring the situation and supporting the affected players," a spokesperson said.

The breach highlights the global vulnerability of athletes who train or compete internationally. Australian authorities are working with American counterparts on the investigation, but no arrests have been made.

[Article continues...]

Chapter End Notes

Thanks again.

[Might do small edits later.]
[There is now a references table for the cases mentioned.]

Chapter 7

Chapter Notes

I have a tumblr. Want to say 'hi', ask questions, get game or media recs? Feel free to ask there or in the comments. At least, I can suggest a song I like, if anyone cares.

If there is real interest, I'll do some very limited coverage on the tumblr when I'm in Milan at the end of the month.

IMOHO Star Player for the Swiss/Canada game: Saskia Maurer

ESPN

March 29, 2019

Collins Appeals Suspension; Dodgers Fire Bench Coach

League discipline: DeMarcus Collins appeals 80-game PED suspension; Dodgers fire Bob Roenick over sign-stealing

By Jeff Passan and Tim Kurkjian

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder DeMarcus Collins filed an appeal Friday of his 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drug use, while the Los Angeles Dodgers dismissed bench coach Bob Roenick following revelations in leaked communications that he helped coordinate an elaborate sign-stealing operation during the 2018 season. Collins' legal team argues procedural irregularities in how evidence from the March 12 data breach was obtained, echoing arguments Ryan Braun unsuccessfully made in 2013. Meanwhile, the Dodgers' swift action mirrors other teams, though MLB has not yet announced whether organizational penalties will follow.

ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT - PRIVILEGED

MLHPA Internal Case Notes - Settlement Negotiations

Matter: MLH Disclosure Investigation - Players #2847 (BOS) and #1563 (MTL)

CONFIDENTIAL - DO NOT DISTRIBUTE

BACKGROUND SUMMARY

Following March 21 investigative meeting, league initially proposed 20-game suspensions starting 2019-20 season for both players based on disclosure form violations. No competitive integrity violations found. Statistical analysis showed no game manipulation. Primary issue: 8-year undisclosed relationship between players of competing teams.

Settlement negotiations conducted March 28, 9:00 AM - 3:45 PM via secure conference line.

STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT & NEGOTIATION POINTS

Initial League Position (9:15 AM): League opened at $50,000 fine per player plus enhanced reporting requirements and public acknowledgment. Significant climb-down from 20-game suspension proposal. Decision suggests recognize weakness of MLH position or urgency to resolve before playoffs.

Key Negotiation Developments:

Competitive Impact Discussion (11:15 AM): Both GMs joined call. GM #1 direct: "If he wasn't betting and wasn't sharing info, I don't care who he's dating." 

Discrimination Arguments (10:35 AM): Raised sexual orientation concerns. League maintained "disclosure-based not orientation-based" position but acknowledged no comparable heterosexual precedents. GM #2 stated club's discomfort with arbitration discovery implications.

Settlement Framework (12:00-2:20 PM): Negotiated to $25,000 per player, enhanced disclosure requirements applied league wide, confidential team summaries (GMs demanded; will be kept to senior management), no public player identification, and immediate eligibility.

Player Consultation (2:30 PM): Both players prioritized: (1) immediate return to play, (2) avoiding public identification, (3) avoiding arbitration. Presented with settlement framework. Personal counsel confirmed terms reasonable. Players accepted.

Final Settlement Terms (3:00 PM):

• $25,000 fine per player
• MHL to enhance annual disclosure + real-time reporting requirements
• Confidential team summaries (high-level)
• League head office drafted public statement
• Immediate clearance upon execution
• Public announcement 7:00 PM EST (grouped with other discipline)

Settlement Risk Analysis

Strengths

Vulnerabilities

Confidentiality Assessment: Both GMs professional, understand stakes. Teams incentivized to protect players (brand, morale, legal exposure). Summaries high-level only. CBA confidentiality provisions apply. Risk manageable but not eliminable.

Long-term Implications: Creates precedent for disclosure of personal relationships. Implementation will depend on clarity of "enhanced disclosure" language going forward.

PREPARED BY: Roman Kahn, MLHPA Legal Counsel
DATE: March 28, 2019, 11:45 PM
DISTRIBUTION: Don Fehr only - Attorney Work Product Privilege

SULLY SPORTS BAR PODCAST

Emergency Pod #15: Rozy's Back - OVERTIME THRILLER

Date: March 29, 2019
Time: 9:00 AM EST
Runtime: 21:15

[INTRO MUSIC: "Born to Run"]

SULLY: Is it too early for a drink? I need a fucking drink.

DANNY: Bloody Mary is, like, a brunch drink. It could be hair of the dog, but it's too early for that. You know I dated a sorority girl in college... 

SULLY: Dawn? Hi, Dawn. 

DANNY: Yeah, Dawn, and you know - sorority girls go hard. You know they can kill a bottle of wine, which is like, 14% ABV, and they drink - on the weekends they put back bottomless screwdrivers... 

SULLY: Screwdrivers?

DANNY: Yeah -  like booze and orange juice. 

SULLY: Fuck, really? I should have gone to college, man.

DANNY: Nah, you would have been like Matthew McConaughey in that movie.

SCULLY: Alright, alright, alright?

DANNY: The part where he says, "I get older, they stay - " [crosstalk].

SCULLY: "They stay the same age." Now I'm going grey, so if I go to college they'll put me on some kinda list...

DANNY: You get invited... Did you do some comedy thing in Georgetown?

SULLY: We are so distracted right now.

DANNY: I found some Coors. You want a Coors? [cans crack open, carbination hisses].

SULLY: Fuck, it's warm. Anyway - hockey?

DANNY: Hockey! Gotta say, wicked play. That was the Rozy we've been missing. That pass in overtime to set up Marley? Absolute perfection.

SULLY: Little slow first period. Needed some water wings, but by the third he was dialed in. Eight days off and he comes back and plays like that...

DANNY: Absolute beautitian. In a game against Tampa where we needed the two points. Pencil dicks still breathing down our necks for second place.

SULLY: Can't play a game in the Sunshine state without us noting the absolute dogwater of the calls. 

DANNY: Department of Player Safety - more like the Department of Peterson Safety.  

SULLY: What does that even mean?

DANNY: Well, like, since Peterson is Captain and they always gave insane penalties against whoever's in the barn then...

[silence]

SULLY: Lorne Michaels is never going to call you.

DANNY: I know.

SULLY: Do you?

DANNY: I'm at peace with it. [second set of cans crack open].

SULLY: Good. Now, the scratch was obviously an internal issue.

DANNY: Yep.

SULLY: I stand by what I said last time.

DANNY: I think it was information sharing. Not gambling; if it was Rozy would be out on his ass like Webb and St-Simon. But maybe he was talking to someone - people - on another team about injuries or lineup stuff and didn't report it properly.

SULLY: That makes the most sense. Gossiping is bad, guys. League comes down hard on gambling. But comms stuff? Slap on the wrist, move on.

DANNY: Why keep him out for a week? Plus, with a fine? 

SULLY: That fine is like $500, for context. If we got fined like 0.05% of our pay. Had to make sure he wasn't in shit, as captain. Then MLH clears him, brings him back.

DANNY: Still feels weird. League announces two days ago, then Rozy's in the lineup at the next night?

SULLY: Timing worked out. Settlement must've been done earlier in the day, league just waited to announce until evening. Get it out there, move on. Rozy must have known for a while. Also, be real Dan, when has the League ever be normal about even normal shit?

DANNY: I guess. [burps]. Winter Classic in Utah.

SULLY: Salt Lake literally hosted the Olympics...

DANNY: [yelling]. It is against nature to play hockey where there is no real snowfall...

SULLY: 2002 was the Winter Olympics, Danny, you can't be more wrong...

SULLY: Wrong or not, Rozy's back, we won. 

SULLY: Tampa's still three points back now. Boston has breathing room, but not much. Five games left.

DANNY: And Rozy really looked like himself out there. By the second, third period? Making plays, winning draws, setting up chances. An assist is a point. 

SULLY: An assist is a point. That deflection goal to tie it in the third was huge. Traffic in front, bodies everywhere. Somehow it finds twine. Magic. 

DANNY: You're a wizard, Rozy!

SULLY: So fucking dumb, let's talk the OT. Rozy controls the puck behind, sees Marley cutting, threads the pass through two defenders. Marley tips it past the goalie. Murder on ice.

DANNY: [Bando voice] Look how they massacred my boy. [Normal voice] Garden was electric. Crowd was into it from the start.

SULLY: Everyone knew what was at stake. Tampa's chasing us. We're fighting for playoff position. And Rozy's first game back after a week? Of course, it was electric. I swear I didn't piss for, like, a solid forty minutes. And I dank a lot of beer. 

DANNY: Couldn't stand up. Couldn't go anywhere.

SULLY: Worth it. Everyone knows that Rozy wasn't the only scratch... What about the other guy?

DANNY: I'm not your buddy, guy!

SULLY: I'm not your guy, pal!

DANNY: I'm not your pal, friend! But no friends here - Hollander is going to play tonight. Montreal has to beat for that final Wild Card spot.

SULLY: Same situation. Coming back from something like this - personal life, an injury - half is conditioning. Getting back into shape, putting yourself into the same situation over and over. The other half is mental. 

DANNY: Has to be in the brain.

SULLY: Right? It's not getting the motivation to go do something; it's going when you don't want to and then keeping up that consistency. 

DANNY: My theory: they were both talking to the same person. Like, someone was pumping them information and they didn't report it properly.

SULLY: That would explain why they got fines instead of suspensions. They were adjacent to the problem, not directly involved.

DANNY: Exactly. Webb and St-Simon were actively gambling. Rozy and Hollander were just... being shady nearby.

SULLY: Not too shady.

DANNY: Right. Remember when Holmston flipped off that fan, he got what, five grand fine?

SULLY: [laughs] True. Hockey culture.

DANNY: You think there's more to this story?

SULLY: Oh, definitely. But we're not gonna get it from the league. Maybe in like ten years?

DANNY: Oh, the 30 for 30 about this is going to be sick.

SULLY: Maybe. Or maybe it's not that interesting and it'll be about the NFL or NCAA or literally anyone else. Either way, Rozy's back. We won. Five games left. Let's finish strong. Boston Strong!

DANNY: Boston Strong! That's the goal. Next game is Tuesday. Home against Columbus.

SULLY: Columbus is fighting for their lives. Can you hear the screaming? They're going to get spanked by Montreal tonight.

DANNY: Like a baby.

SULLY: Drop-kick that fucking baby. 

DANNY: Desperate team. Those are always dangerous.

SULLY: But we've got Rozy back. We've got momentum. I like our chances.

DANNY: Same. Alright, we'll be back tomorrow with more reactions. Maybe we should stop calling these emergency podcasts?

SULLY: [laughs] Don't hold your breath. I can't do this seventeen times a week. I want to go back to, like, once a day. 

DANNY: Same, same. Go Raiders.  

SULLY: Go Raiders.

[OUTRO MUSIC]

USA TODAY

March 30, 2019

First Wave of Suspensions Announced Across Pro Sports

League action: NBA suspends 3 players for PEDs (80 games each), NFL suspends 2 for gambling, MLB investigating sign-stealing network

By Rachel Axon and Erik Brady

Professional sports leagues issued their first coordinated disciplinary actions stemming from the Priority Sports Management data breach, with the NBA handing down three 80-game suspensions for performance-enhancing drug violations and the NFL suspending two players indefinitely for gambling on league games. The NBA suspensions—the longest PED penalties in league history—affect players on playoff-contending teams and mirror the scale of MLB's 2013 Biogenesis scandal that resulted in 14 suspensions. The NFL gambling cases represent the first such violations since the league's expanded sports betting partnerships, setting a precedent that commissioner Roger Goodell called "non-negotiable." Major League Baseball, meanwhile, announced it has opened investigations into sign-stealing allegations involving four organizations but has not yet issued penalties.

The locker room sixty minutes before puck drop smelled of rubber and cleaning products over the rank gas off the pads. Shane sat in his stall, trying to breathe deep. Nervous. Focused. Electric.

Shane pulled on his jersey, thumbing at the velcro strap, the rasp against his thumb. He'd spent the week watching the team fight without him; barely held onto the final Wild Card spot. He did his pre-game sequence: checked his jock, nameplate touch, deep breath. Stick tap to the outside of his left skate, inside left, inside right, outside right; focused. Same as always. 

Around him, guys were locked into their own rituals. Deschamps was eating orange slices, rind and all. Laurent sat in his stall, opening and closing his gloves twenty-seven times exactly. Mercier's playlist was the same six songs so familiar it was white noise.

Thibault appeared in the doorway, coffee in hand even though it was almost 7 PM. "Five minutes."

The music cut and Mercier's phone went dark mid-song. The silence was thick.

Shane ran his tongue over his top teeth and tucked a wing of his mouthguard into his cheek. Chewed on it, sucked out the spit, swallowed.

Lavoie stood first. "We've been grinding without Hollzy for nine days. We held the line. Now he's back." He looked at Shane. "This is our barn. This is our city."

Sticks banged. The sound echoed.

Shane stood, pulled out his mouthguard. "You held the line. We keep holding it."

Hayden led them out, single file, skates loud on the rubber floor, worn low where they walked up. The tunnel stretched ahead, dim, lit by industrial fixtures that made everyone look slightly dead. The crowd noise thundered as they approached. Shane could feel it in his chest, the vibration of thousands of people all focused on the same thing.

The tunnel opened. The noise hit. The lights swung over the darkened rink, spinning dizzyingly. 

Shane stepped onto the ice.

Columbus came out playing trap hockey. Their neutral zone was a wall of bodies. Two forwards sagging back, clogging the middle, forcing Montreal wide. Shane carried the puck over the red line and immediately had three Columbus jerseys converging. He tried to thread a pass to Pike but it got picked off. Columbus cleared it lazily, no rush. Just reset and wait.

This was going to be that kind of game.

Montreal controlled possession but couldn't do anything with it. They'd cycle in Columbus' zone for thirty, forty seconds, probing for a seam that didn't exist. Columbus' defensemen were disciplined, staying in their lanes, not chasing. Their forwards collapsed low whenever Montreal got the puck below the hash marks. Morrison in net had sight lines on everything.

Shane's timing was off but he couldn't tell if it was rust or just Columbus smothering every passing lane before it developed. He tried to hit Laurent with a cross-ice feed. Columbus' center stepped into it, knocked it down, cleared the zone. Six minutes in and Montreal had seven shot attempts. Two had actually reached Morrison. The rest were blocked or deflected into the corner or sent wide when the play evaporated.

The crowd was getting frustrated. You could hear it in the way the noise died after each rush that went nowhere.

Ten minutes in, Columbus almost scored off the counter. Montreal had been pressing in the offensive zone. Mercier trying to walk the blue line, looking for a shooting lane. Columbus' winger stripped him clean. Two-on-one the other way. Beaulieu came way out of his net, challenging the shooter. The shot went wide by six inches. Hit the glass. Montreal dodged it.

Shane got back to the bench, chest heaving. "They're giving us nothing."

"Keep shooting," Thibault said. "Something'll get through."

But nothing did. Montreal finished the first period with seventeen shot attempts. Only nine reached the net. Columbus had five total. The score was 0-0 but Montreal was losing the game that mattered.

Between periods the room was tense. Guys stripping off gloves, drinking water, frustrated. Thibault didn't yell. "They want to sit back, let them. We keep getting pucks to the net. Eventually Morrison's going to give up a bad rebound or someone's going to tip one he can't see. Be patient."

Shane pulled off his helmet, ran a hand through his sweat-soaked hair. His legs felt good. His reads were coming faster. He just needed the puck to cooperate.

Second period started the same. Montreal with possession, Columbus in full shell. Montreal would get the puck deep, try to establish a cycle, and run into a wall of bodies. Every shot from the point got blocked by a sliding Columbus forward. Every cross-ice pass got broken up by a stick in the lane.

But cracks were forming. Columbus' defensemen were getting tired from all the shot-blocking. You could see it in the way they weren't closing gaps as fast, giving Montreal's forwards a half-second more time.

Eight minutes in, Montreal generated their best chance yet. Pike won a board battle low, kicked it behind the net to Shane. Shane saw Mercier cutting toward the far post, tried to thread it through. The pass got deflected but stayed in the zone. Laurent grabbed it, snapped a quick shot. Morrison made the save but kicked out a juicy rebound. Hayden crashed the net, got his stick on it. Morrison sprawled, made a desperation pad save.

The crowd groaned.

Two minutes later, Columbus scored. Against the run of play, completely undeserved. Montreal was in the offensive zone, puck rolling loose along the boards. Columbus' winger chipped it out, caught Montreal on a bad change. Three Montreal players heading off, fresh Columbus line jumping on. Suddenly it was three-on-two. The pass went cross-ice, one-timer from the circle. Beaulieu was moving the wrong way, tried to adjust. Couldn't get there.

1-0 Columbus.

The Bell Centre went library-quiet.

Shane's line went out immediately. He could feel the urgency now, the desperation creeping in. They needed to answer. Montreal won the faceoff, got set up in the offensive zone. They cycled it patiently, not forcing anything. Shane had the puck below the goal line, protecting it from two Columbus forecheckers. He saw Laurent open at the point, tried to sauce it out. The pass got picked off halfway. Columbus cleared.

Again. Reset. Do it again.

Three minutes later they finally broke through. Shane won a faceoff in the offensive zone, got it back to Deschamps. The puck moved around the perimeter. Deschamps to Laurent, Laurent to Mercier, back to Laurent. Pike was battling in front of the net, tying up Columbus' defenseman. Laurent's shot came through traffic, low and hard. Bodies everywhere. Shane had crashed the crease, stick down. The puck hit something. Maybe his blade, maybe a skate, maybe just deflected off someone's shin pad. Changed direction. Morrison never saw it.

Goal.

1-1.

The building exploded. Shane didn't even know if he'd touched it but his linemates were mobbing him anyway. He just skated to the bench, tapped gloves down the line. The goal was the goal. Didn't matter how.

Montreal had momentum now. Columbus was still sitting back but the wall was crumbling. Montreal's shots were getting through more consistently. Morrison made a huge save on Hayden from in close. Then another on Laurent's one-timer from the top of the circle.

With four minutes left in the period, Montreal took the lead. It wasn't pretty. Pike had the puck in the neutral zone, dumped it deep into the Columbus zone. Just a desperation play to get a line change. But Columbus' defenseman misplayed it behind the net, tried to reverse it up the boards. Shane read it, jumped on it. The defenseman panicked, tried to clear it anyway. The puck hit Shane's shin pad, bounced toward the slot. Pike was there, driving to the net. One touch to settle it, second touch to shoot. Morrison got a piece but not enough.

2-1 Montreal.

The period ended with Montreal outshooting Columbus 23-7. Should be 5-1, not 2-1, but Morrison was keeping them alive.

Third period, Columbus abandoned the trap. They had to. Down one goal, four games left in the season, two points back of the Wild Card. They came out aggressive, forechecking hard, taking risks they'd avoided all night.

The game opened up. Both teams trading chances. Shane had a breakaway five minutes in. Stole the puck at his own blue line, nobody between him and Morrison. He tried to go five-hole. Morrison closed the pads. Save.

Columbus countered. Two-on-one the other way. Beaulieu made the save. Another counter-attack. Beaulieu made another save.

Back and forth. The Bell Centre crowd was on edge. Every Columbus rush another chance to tie.

Eight minutes in, Hayden took a penalty. Hooking call. Stupid, lazy. He'd been caught flat-footed on the backcheck, reached out with his stick instead of skating. The ref's arm went up immediately.

Columbus power play. The Bell Centre got quiet, nervous. Montreal's penalty kill took the ice. Shane wasn't on the PK unit but he stood at the bench, watching, stick in hand.

Columbus set up in Montreal's zone, moving the puck around the perimeter. Patient. Waiting for the opening. They worked it low, behind the net, back out to the point. Shot from the blue line. Blocked. The puck stayed in. Columbus retrieved it, reset.

More passing. Cross-ice, back to the point, down low again. Montreal's penalty killers were chasing, getting tired. Columbus' defenseman at the point held it, faked the shot, slid it across to his partner. One-timer from the other point. The shot went wide but caromed off the boards. Columbus forward was there, behind the net. He wrapped it around, tried to jam it in. Beaulieu stopped it with his pad.

Scramble in front. The puck was loose. Bodies crashing. Columbus forward got his stick on it, chipped it out to the slot. Another Columbus player was there. One touch. Goal.

2-2.

The crowd deflated. You could hear ten thousand people calculating playoff scenarios in their heads simultaneously.

Hayden came out of the box, skated straight to the bench, wouldn't look at anyone. Thibault didn't say anything. Just sent out the next line.

Three minutes left. Both teams exhausted, running on fumes and adrenaline. Shane's line was out for what had to be the hundredth time. He won a faceoff in the neutral zone, got it to Pike. Pike carried it across the blue line but got tied up along the boards. The puck came loose. Laurent grabbed it, fired a weak shot from a bad angle. Morrison saved it. The rebound came out to the slot. Mercier was there. He didn't have time to settle it, just swung at it. The puck fluttered, wobbled, knuckleballed toward the net. Morrison was out of position from the first save, tried to slide across. Didn't get there.

Goal.

3-2 Montreal.

The building lost its mind. Mercier didn't know what to do with his hands. Pike grabbed him, then Laurent, then half the bench poured over the boards even though play wasn't stopped yet.

Two minutes forty left. Columbus pulled Morrison with a minute twenty remaining. Six attackers. Montreal just needed to survive.

Columbus set up in Montreal's zone, cycling the puck methodically. They weren't rushing. They had time. Montreal's penalty kill was scrambling, chasing. Columbus moved it around the perimeter, probing. Shot from the point. Blocked. Rebound. Another shot. Beaulieu saved it. Another rebound. The puck was bouncing around like a pinball.

Shane dove to cover a loose puck in the crease, took a Columbus stick to the ribs. Whistle.

Fifty seconds left.

Faceoff in Montreal's zone. Shane was too winded to take it. Laurent lined up instead, lost the draw. Columbus had possession immediately. They set up again, patient, working it around. Cross-ice pass. One-timer. Beaulieu made a glove save, held on.

Thirty seconds.

Another faceoff. This time Montreal won it, managed to chip it out. Columbus' defenseman kept it in at the blue line, fired it back toward the net. Deflection attempt. Missed. The puck rolled into the corner. Columbus and Montreal players dove for it simultaneously. Bodies everywhere. Sticks tangling.

Whistle.

Twelve seconds.

Columbus set up for the faceoff, determined even though there were only twelve seconds left. Shane leaned forward, head up, ready to play out every second.

Laurent won this draw clean, punched it down the ice toward the empty net. Columbus' defenseman got there first, stopped it from going in. He turned, wound up, tried to fire it back up ice.

Buzzer.

3-2 Montreal.

The horn echoed through the Bell Centre and then the place erupted. Guys pouring off the bench, piling on Beaulieu. Shane was in the middle of it somewhere, gloves off, helmet somewhere on the ice. Laurent was yelling something Shane couldn't hear. Pike grabbed Shane's jersey, shook him hard.

They'd held the line. Wild Card 2, one point up on Columbus now. One point up on Carolina. Florida three points back. Five games left.

Shane skated toward the tunnel, tapping each guy's shin pads as he passed. The crowd was still screaming.  His legs were dead but he was electric.

The locker room after was chaos. Music blaring. Guys yelling. Mercier was doing an interpretive dance version his fluky knuckleball goal, making it look more skilled than it actually was.

"It was luck," Laurent said.

"It was vision."

"It was a prayer."

Shane sat in his stall, untying his skates. His legs were dead. Good dead, the kind that reminded you why you did this.

Pike dropped down next to him. "Hell of a deflection on that first goal."

"Didn't even know I touched it."

"Doesn't matter. Went in."

Thibault stuck his head in. "Hollander. Media in twenty."

Shane nodded. Rinsed off quick, threw on his suit. His left sock had a hole at the ball of his foot. Whatever. He grabbed a water bottle and headed out.

The media room was packed. More than usual. Montreal media was always intense but this was playoff race hockey. Every game mattered. Shane sat down, adjusted the microphone.

A reporter from RDS started. "Shane, how does it feel to be back after nine days?"

"Good to be back. Team played well while I was out. Happy we found a way to win tonight."

"You seemed a bit rusty in the first. How long did it take to find your rhythm?"

"Maybe halfway through the first period. By the second I was feeling better."

The Journal de Montréal guy. "The playoff race is extremely tight. You're one point up on Carolina, one point up on Columbus now. How much pressure does that add?"

"We know where we are. Every game's important. We've got five left, we just take care of business one game at a time."

A woman from TVA Sports. "Columbus played very defensively tonight. They blocked a lot of shots, clogged the neutral zone. Was that frustrating?"

"They played their game. We knew they'd sit back. We just had to be patient, keep getting pucks to the net. Eventually something was going to go."

"Thirty-two shots to eleven. Do you feel like it should have been a bigger victory?"

"Their goalie played well. Kept them in it. But we got the two points. That's what matters."

La Presse: "Shane, your first goal, the deflection. Did you know you touched it?"

"Honestly? No. Not until I saw the replay. There were bodies everywhere. I just put my stick down and hoped."

A few reporters laughed.

TSN: "And the second goal, the one that put you up 2-1. That was a great read on the defenseman's mistake."

"Pike finished it. I just got it to him."

"But you created the turnover."

Shane shrugged. "Right place, right time."

RDS again: "Mercier's goal in the third, that was... unusual. What did you see?"

Shane smiled slightly. "I saw him swing at it and I saw it go in. Sometimes you need a lucky bounce." 

The room laughed. The Montreal media was relaxed, friendly. They protected their own here.

A guy from The Gazette: "Shane, you were a healthy scratch for nine days. Can you talk about what that was like?"

The room got quieter.

"It was what it was. Coach made a decision. I respected it. I'm back now."

"Were you told why you were scratched?"

"That's between me and the coaching staff."

"There's been speculation about whether it was performance-related or something else. Can you address that?"

Shane's jaw tightened slightly. "Like I said, that's between me and the coaching staff. I'm focused on helping this team make the playoffs."

Journal de Montréal, trying a different angle: "Was it difficult to watch the team play without you?"

Shane paused. "Yeah. But the guys played well. They held the line. That's all I could ask for."

The TSN guy tried again. "Just to clarify on the healthy scratch..."

"I already answered it." Shane's voice was flat. Not angry. Firm.

TVA Sports jumped in, changing the subject. "Looking ahead to Florida on Thursday. They're three points back, desperate. How do you approach that game?"

Shane relaxed slightly. "Same way we approached tonight. Show up, play our game, try to get two points."

"Do you feel confident about holding this Wild Card spot?"

"We're not thinking about holding anything. We're thinking about winning games. Five left. We control what we can control."

La Presse: "The atmosphere at the Bell Centre tonight was incredible. Does that energy help when you're grinding through a defensive game like this?"

"Absolutely. Our fans are the best in the league. They kept us going when Columbus was sitting back. You could feel it in the third period."

RDS: "And now, five games remaining. What's the team's mentality?"

"One game at a time. Win tonight, come back and win the next one. That's all we can do."

The media coordinator stepped in. "Okay, last question."

The Gazette: "Shane, your chemistry with Pike and Laurent looked really strong tonight. How important is that heading into the final stretch?"

"Those guys are great. We've been playing together long enough that we know where each other are going to be. They made it easy for me tonight."

"Thanks, Shane."

Shane stood up, left the water bottle on the table, walked out. He could hear them still talking behind him, probably about the scratch, about what he wasn't saying. But the Montreal media would be kinder about it than Toronto would have been. They protected their own.

Back in the locker room, most of the guys were showered and dressed. Laurent was still there, scrolling through his phone.

"How'd it go?"

"Fine."

"They ask about the scratch?"

"Yeah."

"What'd you say?"

"Nothing." Shane grabbed his towel. "Because there's nothing to say."

The shower was hot. Shane stood under it, let it run over his head, his shoulders. His body ached everywhere. Good ache. Earned ache.

When he got out, the room was nearly empty. Just Mercier and Deschamps left, arguing about something. Packed his gear, pulled his personal laundry aside. Shane changed slowly. Dress pants, buckled his belt, checked the black on his shoes. 

Thibault was in his office, door open. Shane knocked on the frame.

"Good game tonight," Thibault said.

"Thanks."

"You looked good out there."

"Felt good to be back."

Thibault leaned back in his chair. "Media's going to keep asking about the scratch."

"I know."

"You handled it well."

Shane nodded.

"Morning skate tomorrow. Eleven. Be ready for Florida."

"I will be."

Shane left through the back exit, avoiding the last few media stragglers. His car was in the players' lot, covered in a light dusting of snow that had started falling. He brushed off the windshield, ran the engine with the heat on high, tossed his bag in the back.

Got in, then sat there for a minute. He pulled out his phone. Text from his mom. Text from his agent. Three from Ilya.

Shane stared at the screen, then hit call.

Ilya picked up on the second ring. "Hey."

"Hey."

"Good game."

"Thanks."

"Rough first period though."

Shane laughed. "Fuck off."

"That pass in the neutral zone, what was that?"

"We won."

"You did." Ilya's voice softened. "How are you?"

Shane leaned back in the seat. It was like ice against his back. Had the passenger-side window cracked to keep the glass from fogging up.

"Tired. Good. I don't know."

Iliya asked, "Media talk about the scratch?" 

"Yeah." He sighed.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"Good."

Silence for a moment. Shane could hear a TV in the background on Ilya's end.

"Few games left," Ilya said.

"Yeah."

"You will make it."

"Hope so."

"You will." Said like a fact.

The cold air started to warm up slowly. "Saw your game, looked good."

Ilya grunted. "Won in OT. Marley got the winner."

"Nice."

"Yeah. He is playing out of his mind right now." Another pause. Then: "You heading home?"

"Yeah. You?"

"Already here." A shuffle down the line.

"I should go." Shane was tired. "I'll text you when I get home."

"Okay. Get some sleep."

"You too."

Shane hung up. Put the phone in the cup holder. Backed out of the spot, drove past security, onto the street.

Montreal at night was beautiful. Lights everywhere. People thick on the ground after the win. Closer to the playoffs.

He found a radio station playing something quiet. Drove home through the snow.

Chapter End Notes

Again, may have small edits after a few days. Keep me honest.

If you want to see how I faked media in other formats before I got lazy and did everything in-broswer, you can go back and see when I did article stubs, a TIME spread, microfiche, and FBI letters a few years ago.

Chapter 8

Chapter Notes

From: Yuna Hollander yunahollander@hotmail.com
To: greroz@protonmail.me; Shane Hollander ShaneHollander@gmail.com
Date: March 29, 2019, 11:42 AM
Subject: Fwd: Irina Foundation Preliminary Structure

Boys,

Rachel's report is attached. It's a bit dry but she knows what she's doing, I promise. Read it before Wednesday!

Ilya I've been thinking about your mother a lot lately. She would have been so proud of you. I hope you know that.

Shane call me this weekend. Not about this, just to talk.

Love you both.

Mom

Yuna Hollander

yunahollander@hotmail.com

Sent from my Galaxy

ATTACHMENT: Irina_Foundation_Preliminary_Structure_DRAFT.pdf 

OVERVIEW

This document outlines a proposed structure for a charitable foundation to be co-founded by Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander. The foundation would operate under Canadian federal law with reciprocal charitable status in the United States. The following reflects preliminary recommendations only and is subject to revision pending co-founder input and legal review.

PROPOSED NAME

The Irina Foundation

MANDATE

Mental health, with a specific programmatic focus on suicide prevention and early intervention. Recommend starting with a narrow mandate and revisiting scope in year three once governance is established and outcome data is available to present to donors.

FUNDING MODEL

Primary: A series of week-long residential hockey camps hosted at locations across Eastern Canada (Que., Ont., N.B./P.E.I. ), operated during the summer months. Registration fees would be split between camp operational costs and direct foundation revenue. Corporate sponsorships would be sought to offset operational costs, maximizing the portion of registration revenue available for programming.

     Note: Camp locations, dates, and registration structure are TBD pending co-founder input. Recommend a minimum of two locations in year one.

Secondary: Direct donation program and annual fundraising event, structure TBD.

     The camp model is recommended as the primary vehicle for several reasons: it generates reliable recurring revenue, it provides public visibility for the foundation's mission, and it connects the co-founders directly to the youth population the foundation intends to serve.

BOARD COMPOSITION

Canadian law requires a minimum of three independent directors. Co-founders may sit on the board but may not constitute a majority. Recommend the following profile for independent directors:

- One director with clinical background in mental health or psychiatry

- One director with nonprofit financial or governance experience

- One director at large (co-founders' discretion)*

*Yuna Hollander has agreed to serve as one independent director pending formal appointment.

TIMELINE

Target registration date: July 1, 2019

Board confirmation required by: June 1, 2019

Target first camp season: Summer 2020

NEXT STEPS

Co-founders to review and sign co-founder agreement [attached] at meeting on April 2; please provide a wet signature. Board candidates to be confirmed by June 1. I will handle registration filing upon board confirmation.

Questions: rlevine@levinenpconsulting.com

[THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT] Recorded April 1, 2019 — CBS Broadcast

COLBERT: Thank you! Thank you, please, sit down. Happy Opening Day!

[cheers]

Baseball is back! Which is great. I love baseball. I love the traditions of baseball. The hot dogs, the seventh inning stretch, the systematic electronic theft of opposing teams' signals... 

[laughter]

Which, by the way, we now know was not limited to the Astros. At least four teams. Four. Baseball said, "You know what, the Astros got caught, let's make it a lifestyle."

[laughter]

Now, I want to talk about the data breach. Because we are three weeks in, the news cycle is moving on, and I think we are in danger of processing this as a sports scandal when it is actually something bigger than that.

Thousands of people across the United States - and a few in Australia! - had everything on their phones stolen. Text messages, photos, you name it. The hackers who did this have not been caught.

[beat]

Meanwhile, and I want to walk you through scoreboard here... [counts up on his fingers]

One NFL player: federal racketeering. Three NBA players: game suspensions. Multiple MLB teams: under investigation for cheating that apparently everyone was doing, which, again...

[gestures broadly with all ten fingers out, wiggles them]

These same leagues, by the way, that spent thirty years telling us gambling was an existential threat to the integrity of sport. All sports! Any sports! The same leagues that banned Tim Donaghy. That suspended Paul Hornung, which I now see is a... dated reference.

[laughter]

Leagues have entire compliance departments dedicated to making sure nobody within fifty feet of a locker room so much as thinks about a point spread.

Those leagues took the DraftKings money immediately.

Pete Rose is still banned, by the way. FanDuel is an official MLB partner. Does anyone else find that funny? Pete Rose finds that funny. Pete Rose is watching this from his memorabilia shop in Las Vegas, which is the most Pete Rose sentence I have ever said, and he is furious.

And two hockey players were fined twenty-five thousand dollars each for a personal matter so personal that the league won't say what it was. Which, honestly, respect.

This is the first time anyone has cared about hockey since America beat the Soviets in 1980.

[laughter]

Which, and I say this with love, is a sport where that is considered recent history.

[laughter]

[cupping ear toward audience]

I'm sorry, is someone.. yes? You have something to say?

[audience member, indistinct]

An Islanders fan. Okay. Great. Thank you for your...

[awkward pause, looking blankly at audience, blinks]

...Yeah. Exactly.

[laughter]

The MLH could teach the CIA things. You want to make something disappear? Don't classify it. Or redact it. Just put it on a Tuesday night regional cable broadcast and in three hours no one will even...

[laughter]

But here is what I actually want to talk about tonight, because I think it has gotten lost. After the breach went public, most outlets covered it responsibly. Named names where there was genuine public interest. Reported on the investigations. Fine.

And then there is the New York Post.

[audience reacts, booing]

The Post this week published a story outing a professional athlete. Based on messages stolen from his phone. Under a headline...

[beat]

I'm not going to say it.

[scattered applause, Colbert takes off his glasses, wipes the lens]

And look. The Post will say public figure, public interest... journalism. Sure.

[Puts the glasses back on]

But I keep thinking about this. Obviously, there are gay players. But the environment... the locker room, the press, the New York Post... makes hiding the rational choice.

So someone hid. For years, apparently. Very carefully.

And then criminals stole his phone. And a tabloid published what they found. And somehow he's the one whose life is different now. 

[pause]

[looks directly into camera]

And if you're watching this... and you're probably not, you've probably got better things to do tonight than watch me, I hope you do...

[laughter]

[touches his nose, nods]

I just want to say. What happened to you was wrong. The people who did it know it was wrong. Most of us know it was wrong.

You didn't do anything wrong.

[steps back from camera, back to the audience]

My guest tonight wrote the piece that started all of this. Her reporting in WIRED is the reason any of us know what actually happened and to whom. Please welcome senior writer Sarah Chen!

[APPLAUSE — COMMERCIAL BREAK]

THE WASHINGTON POST

April 1, 2019

D.C. Prosecutors File Formal Charges Against Davidson in Domestic Violence Case

Sentinels guard faces two counts of first-degree assault; arraignment set for April 14

By Emily Perrie-St Martin and Jack Thomson

District of Columbia prosecutors filed formal charges Tuesday against suspended Washington Sentinels guard Terrell Davidson, 24, following a weeks-long investigation into communications exposed in last month's data breach.

Davidson faces two counts of assault in the first degree. His attorney, Gerald Morris, said in a statement that Davidson "looks forward to the opportunity to address these allegations through the appropriate legal process and is confident he will be fully vindicated." The alleged victim's attorney, Sandra Park, confirmed her client will cooperate fully with prosecutors.

Davidson has been on indefinite suspension from the Sentinels since March 17, when the team acted after leaked text messages in which Davidson described multiple incidents of physical violence against his girlfriend became public. The victim filed for and received an emergency restraining order on March 26.

The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the investigation remains active. Additional charges have not been ruled out. The league said Davidson's suspension will continue pending the outcome of both proceedings.

[INTERVIEW EXCERPT — THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT] 

[DYING APPLAUSE]

COLBERT: Sarah, welcome. Thank you for being here.

[taps notecards on desk]

CHEN: Thank you. I have to say, watching you do that monologue was a little surreal. I spent four weeks trying to get people to care about the Murphy v. NCAA timing and you did it in eight minutes with a Pete Rose joke.

COLBERT: I find Pete Rose makes most arguments more compelling.

CHEN: He really does.

[laughter]

COLBERT: So. Three weeks out, one of your biggest articles to date.

[APPLAUSE]

CHEN: Thanks, thank you. 

COLBERT: The FBI has made no arrests and named no suspects publicly. Is that surprising to you?

CHEN: Honestly, no. That's the part people don't fully understand, in my view. Whoever built this had serious resources, serious time, and they almost certainly operated across multiple countries, which means the moment this becomes a multi-jurisdiction investigation, everything slows down enormously.

COLBERT: So, when do we find out who did this?

CHEN: Not for a long time is the honest answer. These cases sometimes get solved years later, or they get solved quietly, or they don't get solved at all. We have examples like the SilkRoad, or AlphaBay, or people like Shiny Flakes and others.

COLBERT: Darknet stuff?

CHEN: Yes, exactly. And in the meantime...

COLBERT: The data is still out there.

CHEN: The data is still out there. I keep trying to get people to understand... The breach happened. It's over. However, the data is permanent. Those files have been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times. They're on servers, on online, stocked up on personal cell phones in pdfs. For every athlete who was cleared, who cooperated with their league, who has moved on... their data hasn't moved on.

COLBERT: The genie is out of the bottle.

CHEN: Exactly. Any eighteen year old college freshman is thirty-eight in twenty years, and how will this continue to impact their lives? Their family? The children they might have, the careers, the future...

COLBERT: You mentioned in your piece that the attack began two months after Murphy v. NCAA.

CHEN: Yeah. [pause] I want to be careful not to overstate causation here, because I can't get inside the heads of whoever did this. But the timing is... it's hard to look at and not draw some conclusions. The legal sports betting market was projected, at the time, to generate tens of billions of dollars annually. Insider information in a market that size is worth an enormous amount of money.The leagues, in rushing to capture that market, did not meaningfully upgrade their security posture for the people generating the product.

COLBERT: The athletes.

CHEN: The athletes. Who, in college sports especially, were given zero cybersecurity training, zero institutional support. The NCAA was focused on compliance, sure. Making sure kids weren't getting free meals or selling their autographs; but left they completely unprepared for the idea that criminal elements might target them. Not to mention, this had happened before!

COLBERT: Do you think the leagues are better prepared now?

CHEN: [pause] I think they're more aware. Whether awareness translates to preparedness is a different question. The structural problem hasn't changed. It didn't change in the 80s, and it didn't change in -

COLBERT: Arizona State?

CHEN: Exactly. You still have organizations that move slowly, that are reactive rather than proactive, dealing with a threat that moves very fast and is very proactive. Plus, you still have a legal sports betting market that is expanding. Which means the value of insider information keeps going up.

COLBERT: So the incentive to do this again...

CHEN: There's no incentive not to do this again.

COLBERT: Double negative. [beat] That's terrifying.

CHEN: Yeah. It is.

COLBERT: Sarah Chen. The piece is in WIRED, online now and in print this Friday. We'll be right back.

[APPLAUSE]

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

April 2, 2019

Federal Judge Sets September Trial for Turner; Defense Signals Admissibility Fight

Prosecutors call breach evidence "extensive and well-documented"; RICO charges survive dismissal motion

By Dan Wiederer and Steve Greenberg

A federal judge set a September 15 trial date Tuesday for suspended Philadelphia Aviators linebacker Elijah Turner on federal racketeering charges stemming from an alleged multi-state dogfighting and illegal gambling operation.

U.S. Attorney William McSwann expressed confidence in the government's case at a brief press conference following the scheduling hearing. "The evidence against Mr. Turner is extensive and well-documented," McSwann said. "We look forward to presenting it."

Turner's defense team is expected to file motions in the coming weeks challenging the admissibility of breach evidence on Fourth Amendment grounds. As the breach was conducted by private criminal actors rather than law enforcement, the exclusionary rule, which bars evidence obtained through unconstitutional government searches, is unlikely to apply.

Turner, 27, remains free on $500,000 bond. Two alleged co-conspirators have entered not guilty pleas. A third is cooperating with federal authorities in a separate proceeding.

CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

April 2, 2019

NCAA Integrity Task Force Holds Second Meeting With No Findings, No Timeline

Members cite "unprecedented" scope of academic fraud; legal challenges expected before any discipline is issued

By Libby Sander

The NCAA's emergency task force on breach-related academic fraud met for the second time Tuesday in Indianapolis, convening for more than six hours before dispersing with no public statement and no announced timeline for disciplinary recommendations.

Task force members, speaking anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss deliberations, described violations across more than forty Division I institutions as "without modern precedent in college athletics." Communications exposed in the breach indicate fraud ranging from individual incidents of coursework completion to what sources describe as systematic, multi-year operations involving staff, third-party vendors, and compliance officers.

Multiple universities have already retained outside counsel and signaled their intention to challenge any sanctions based on stolen evidence. At least two institutions have sent formal letters to NCAA leadership arguing that using hacked data as the basis for discipline would expose the organization to significant legal liability.

The task force is scheduled to meet again April 15. The NCAA president is expected to make a public statement on the matter before the end of the month, according to a spokesperson.

The hotel was forty minutes outside Albany. A squat five floors, off beige, just off the highway. From the lobby, there was a clear view of the parking lot. Shane kept peering out, staying deep enough that he couldn't see his own reflection in the window.

Ilya drove down from Boston that morning. Four hours. Day off, should have been resting, rolling out a deep cramp in his left thigh. Texted Shane one-handed and complained about his rental car the whole way up, but going radio silent when he hit the exit. 

The knock was soft. Shane opened the door still in his jacket.

They stood there for a second.

"Hi," Shane said, then stood aside.

"Hi."

Ilya came in. Shane put the chain on, then the bar. That was it. No ceremony. Felt the heat of Ilya behind him, the specific relief of being in the same room. The thing that had been wrong for three weeks going quietly right. His footsteps soft on the carpet, deeper in the room.

Shane hit the overhead lights, blinked away the brightness. Ilya was bent over the table by the window. Documents spread across it. Shane had sticky-flagged the signature lines on a pristine copy of the documents. A pile of pens, a scribbled-on legal pad. A folder with a Post-it in Shane's block-letter handwriting. 

Ilya looked at it for a moment. Moved things aside with a pointer finger. His eyes scanned like he was reading. 

"Sit," Shane said. "I got coffee."

The nonprofit consultant had sent thirty pages. Structure options. Tax considerations: Massachusetts, Quebec, Ottawa. A suggested board composition and organigram. Grant-making frameworks. The specific metrics that made suicide prevention legible to donors, which was a sentence Shane had tripped over and still wasn't sure what to do with. So he had highlighted. Questions noted in the margins in the small careful handwriting he used for things he needed clear, organized.

Poured Ilya a tepid cup in a thin paper cup, left the folded wings in. Handed it over to where Ilya had taken the seat at the window, the weak sun right behind his head. 

"She recommends a single focus area," Shane said. Pointed at a paragraph, the orange highlighter ink tacky under his finger. "Suicide prevention has the clearest outcome metrics. Easier to show impact to donors."

"Yes." Ilya looked at the page. "That's right."

Shane poured himself some coffee, sipped it slowly. "She needs three board members who aren't us. Arm's length."

"I know."

"My mom said she'd do it." 

"I know." Ilya's eyes still on the page. Shane couldn't read his expression. "Yuna told me. When I emailed her."

A beat. Shane put the cup next to the coffee pot. Gently pushed it further from the edge, took a second before he looked back at Ilya. "You didn't tell me," Shane said.

"Was going to be a surprise." Ilya turned a page. "Then everything happened."

Shane glanced out the window over Ilya's shoulder. "She cried when I told her the name."

Ilya's finger moved along a line of text. Shane couldn't look away. 

He wanted to ask about Ilya's mom, about who she had been to the man he felt so close to that he knew her by proxy. The weak sun moved behind a cloud. The parking lot went flat and grey outside the window. Ilya turned another page.

"Two more board members," he said. "Rachel has suggestions?"

"Yeah." Shane pulled the legal pad over. "McGill psychiatrist. Woman who runs a foundation in Vancouver."

Ilya nodded. Shane uncapped a pen, slid it across.

Signed where the tabs were. Swapped. Shane stacked the copies against the table edge, tapped them flat, put them back in the folder.

Shane called down to the front desk. The woman who picked up gave him the number for a pizza place two exits down. He ordered quickly, didn't poll the room, would pay with cash. Ilya watched him, said nothing. They always knew how to kill time. 

Shane had pulled on sweatpants to go down to the lobby, grabbed Ilya's wallet off the TV counter. The pizza came in forty minutes, lukewarm, in a box that had sweated through on one side. Tipped the kid at the door. The front desk woman watched him cross back to the elevator. He felt it. The tag on his t-shirt didn't itch, which meant it wasn't his. Shane's were athletic fabric, no labels. Ilya's had screenprinted ones.

Shane ate his slices standing at the table. Ilya only in boxers took two, put one down after a bite, folded the other in half and finished it over the sink. Washed his hands loudly, rinsed out his mouth with water and spit into the sink. Shane closed the box, left it on the dresser. The room stunk of food oil and cardboard. 

Ilya moved to the bed, back against the headboard, one knee up. Shane took the chair. The television flickered on mute, some cable news chyron scrolling across the bottom. The carpet was the particular worn blueof a place that had stopped trying. Shane looked at a water stain on the ceiling just next to the bathroom door in the shape of nothing in particular.

The rain started. Light, undecided. The room became edged into a vague dimness. Stippling the window in no particular pattern. Shane picked at a loose thread on his sleeve. Outside a truck pulled into the lot, idled, pulled back out. The rain picked up.

"We're fine," Ilya said.

Shane looked over.

"Fine is paid. We cooperated. Hendricks said the file is closed." Ilya's eyes still unfocused. "We're fine."

The rain made lines on the glass. Shane watched them fork and run. It reminded him of being a kid, driving somewhere and trying hard not to be queezy, forehead pressed hard onto the cool glass, watching the rain roll and intersect. Dops getting bloated as they struggled downward before being absorbed into the edge of the window liner and vanishing. Like being in two places; half in a memory and half here. It felt almost impossible to look backwards and realize how he had lived his life before he met Ilya. How changed he, himself, had become. It had been so subtle it didn't feel like he had changed at all. Maybe that was love. 

"Yeah," Shane said. "We're fine."

Ilya closed his eyes.

They sat in it for a while. 

"Toronto's going to sit on you," Ilya said.

"I know."

"Andersson." Ilya blinked like he was waking up and yawned like a lion. "Left side. He reaches early."

Shane looked over. "Are you coaching me?"

"Am giving helpful observation."

"That's coaching." Shane kicked off his shoes, kneed his way up the bed before flopping on his stomach. 

Ilya's mouth moved. Not quite a smile. "You're welcome."

The rain kept going. The warm press of a palm on Shane's back, between his shoulders. Neither of them said anything for a while.

"I've been thinking," Shane said. "About after."

Ilya waited. Ran a palm down Shane's spine, back up to cup the back of his head. 

"After the season." Shane looked at where the window was, only saw the dark boxers, hairy thigh, the knot of muscle. Listened to the rain, the nothing of upstate New York on a Wednesday in April. "I don't want to keep hiding."

"I know."

"I want to be able to say your name." Shane could hear Ilya swallow. The rain stippled the glass. Shane knew he was, sometimes, a coward. He was trying harder not to be. 

"Ok," Ilya said.

"Ok you agree or ok you heard me?"

"Ok I agree." A pause. "After the season."

Shane nodded. They stayed in it for another hour, until Ilya had to leave.

At the door Shane held on a second longer than he needed to. Breathed in, for the smell, the feeling of ribs expanding between his hands and chest. Clung on. Ilya let him. Looked at him the way he did when they were going to be apart for a while.

"Drive safe," Shane said.

"Always." A step back. "Win your series."

"Win yours first."

April 3, 2019

APF-EU-RUSSIA-HOCKEY-BREACH

Sport-Express reported Wednesday that a Russian-born player in North America's Major League Hockey is believed to have been among those disciplined in connection with the league's investigation into the March 12 data breach.

The player was not named. Sport-Express noted that a small number of Russian-born MLH players were absent from their teams' lineups for one or more games in the days immediately following the breach, with no injury designation given in any case. At least one such player returned to play within two weeks.

The Russian Hockey Federation, contacted Wednesday, declined to comment. The MLH did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.

Sport-Express said it was unable to confirm the nature of any disciplinary matter independently or whether the federation had been formally notified.

Chapter End Notes

I'll be on a two week break; looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
EDIT: I have also updated the resources chapter a little bit more.
EDIT II: Here is my Milan playlist

Fuori dall'Hype by Pinguini Tattici Nucleari
Eugenio In Via Di Gioia by Altrove
Affogare by Ciqui Duo (Cover of Legno)
La Nuova Stella Di Broadway by Cesare Cremonini
Come mai by 883
50 Special - Lùnapop
Cosa mi manchi a fare by Calcutta
CI SARÒ by ALFA

But really, Pinguini Tattici Nucleari is the best.

Chapter 9: NOT A CHAPTER [In progress]: A Bit of Background

Chapter Notes

Am working on this to show all references and information used for this story, which will be under construction as I publish each chapter. Don't need to read this for the fic, just some background.

Fiction vs Real-World Sports Scandals