Apology Not Enough?

Chris Chelios’ apology on behalf of the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team for vandalizing three rooms at the Nagano Olympic Village elicited a brief and stony reaction from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on Saturday, an indication the culprits’ misdeeds haven’t been forgiven or forgotten.

Chelios, the Olympic team’s captain, on Friday sent a check for $3,000 and a letter of apology to the Nagano Olympic Organizing Committee. He called the conduct of some of his teammates “inexcusable” and added, “Bitter frustration at our own level of play caused a few team members to vent their anger in a way which is not in the tradition of NHL/Olympic sportsmanship.”

Chelios didn’t identify the culprits. The NHL’s investigation into the incident, which occurred hours after the team’s quarterfinal loss to the Czech Republic on Feb. 19, failed to prove who was responsible for tossing six broken chairs into a courtyard, setting off three fire extinguishers--including one that was tossed into a courtyard--and disturbing other U.S. Olympians.

“An apology from Team USA is long overdue and in that respect this is a positive step,” Bettman said. “However, I would have preferred that the responsible parties had stepped forward.”

Darryl Seibel, a spokesman for USA Hockey, said his organization was encouraged by the apology but does not consider the matter closed. Officials of the U.S. Olympic Committee said last week they might be satisfied with an apology and restitution but reserved the right to impose other sanctions, such as banning the 23 players from future Olympics.

“We characterize this as a positive development, but at least on our end, there’s still work to be done in talking with the NHL, the NHL Players’ Assn. and the USOC,” Seibel said. “Until we’ve had a chance to confer with our colleagues, any additional comment would be premature.”

Forward Adam Deadmarsh of the Colorado Avalanche, a member of the U.S. Olympic team, praised Chelios’ gesture. “The USOC wanted a formal apology, and Chris took it upon himself to write one,” Deadmarsh said. “Everyone is obviously sorry about what happened. Hopefully, it’s in the past now.”