NHL Making Headway in Vandalism Probe

The NHL’s investigation into the vandalism of three rooms at the Olympic Village in Nagano, Japan, last week by unknown members of the U.S. men’s hockey team might be complete by the end of this week. Darryl Seibel, a spokesman for USA Hockey, said he expects the league to submit its findings within a few days. Subsequent action would depend on the results of the league’s inquiries.

Seibel said the league has made much progress in the past few days in reaching players to interview them about the still-unknown number who damaged chairs, walls, floors and beds and set off three fire extinguishers. Six chairs and a fire extinguisher were thrown into a garden area.

“If there is concrete evidence pointing to individuals, the next step would be to contemplate the type of punishment to be assessed by USA Hockey, the NHL or both groups,” Seibel said.

Among those eliminated from suspicion, according to sources, are defensemen Chris Chelios and Gary Suter.