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Blades defenseman charged with assault, exposure on airplane
Cornacchia was in the lineup Saturday night against the Pensacola Ice Pilots
via floridaeverblades.com
David Cornacchia
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Related Links
- Read the original story at the KTVT CBS 11 Web site.
- Read the reaction to the arrest and see what Everblades fans are saying on the 'Blades Blog.
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Florida Everblades defenseman David Cornacchia will continue to play with the team until a verdict is reached regarding his alleged behavior on an American Airlines flight to the Dallas-Fort Worth airport on Thursday, general manager Craig Brush said Saturday.
Cornacchia played Saturday night against the Pensacola Ice Pilots and even scored a goal in the Everblades' 6-5 loss. He is expected to remain in the lineup for tonight’s and Tuesday’s games in Pensacola and Mississippi.
Cornacchia was returning from a Christmas visit home to Toronto and planning to join the Blades in Biloxi, Miss., on Thursday to practice prior to Friday’s 8:05 p.m. game when the incident occurred.
According to an affidavit obtained by Dallas TV station CBS 11, Cornacchia became violent when flight attendants refused to serve him a third drink because he was “stumbling, unsafe and had slurred speech.”
Cornacchia is accused of then slapping a male flight attendant in the face, exposing himself to nearby passengers and intentionally head-butting a passenger who attempted to restrain him.
When FBI agents came to meet the plane on its arrival in Dallas, Cornacchia told them that he’d had seven or eight alcoholic beverages that day, according to the affidavit obtained by CBS 11.
Brush said he wasn’t aware of any prior problems with Cornacchia and alcohol abuse.
“If he walked in here right now, you’d be happy to meet him,” Brush said of Cornacchia, adding in a statement: “The Florida Everblades believe Mr. Cornacchia is entitled to due process ... He will remain an active member of the team.”
Everblades media relations director Kevin Reiter said fellow players were told not to comment on the incident. Cornacchia’s teammates couldn’t be reached by the Daily News.
Cornacchia’s attorney, Michael F. Hornung of Fort Myers, said there are no prior incidents in Cornacchia’s legal past.
“This appears to be an isolated offense ... of Mr. Cornacchia being put in an unfortunate situation,” Hornung said, adding that on Friday night he had spoken with Blades captain Ernie Hartlieb, who told him the players were behind Cornacchia and wanted to be there to support him.
Federal charges won’t officially be filed for a few days and could include multiple offenses, Hornung said.
Hornung spoke with Cornacchia early Saturday.
“Of course he is very concerned and shaken up,” Hornung said. “He was in Dallas trying to get a flight to Pensacola and meet the team.”
Hornung has represented Blades players in the past -- in the 2003-04 season: Jared Newman, current Carolina Hurricane Chad LaRose and current Blades fill-in player Brandon Coalter were arrested. LaRose was charged with driving under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor, and Coalter and Newman were charged with disorderly intoxication, a second-degree misdemeanor.
All charges were later reduced.
Also that year, Blade Ian Forbes was arrested on a DUI charge that later was dismissed.
But this week’s incident involving Cornacchia is the only federal offense charged to a Blade during the season, and it’s likely the most serious.
Under terms of his arrest, Cornacchia isn’t allowed to leave the country or consume any alcoholic beverages. A Canadian citizen, Cornacchia is on a one-year visa to play pro hockey in the U.S. He is not allowed to do any other kind of work.
Hornung said if Cornacchia is found guilty, the charges potentially could affect his visa status and his right to remain in the U.S.
The league was notified of the arrest.
“The Florida Everblades organization made the ECHL aware of the situation and we will continue to monitor it while remaining in communication with the team,” ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna said.
Known for his physical play and fighting ability, Cornacchia often was cheered at Germain Arena for picking fights and holding his own against much-larger opponents.
While that violence brought cheers on the ice, similar behavior off-the-ice has led to crisis for Cornacchia.
“You see that in all of the contact sports,” Brush said. “There are rules on the ice and on the field ... and there are (different) rules in society.”
In 2006, 41 NFL players were charged with violent crimes and alcohol-related offenses.
The Everblades return to Germain Arena to play South Carolina on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Comments
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He looks messed up there. I can imagine this guy soon traveling to games in a beat up bus w/ "CHIEFS" on the side.
#1 Posted by wes on December 29, 2007 at 3:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is no excuse for such disgusting public behavior. Just another drunk heading for skid row....
#2 Posted by tootsie on December 29, 2007 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He should be fired from the team immediately!
#3 Posted by naplesres on December 29, 2007 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is what you people pay him to do on the weekends. You cheer him on when he's in the arena beating up someone. You teach a pit bull to bite an then want to put him down when he bites the wrong dog. Maybe it's people wanting sick entertainment is the problem.
#4 Posted by Hindsight on December 29, 2007 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Must be the new rage, get drunk, create a disturbance, show your junk.
#5 Posted by micirisi on December 29, 2007 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hindsight-get a life!!
#6 Posted by waldini202 on December 29, 2007 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Serious charges. Striking a flight attendant and causing enough of a disturbance for the pilot to declare an in-flight emergency is gonna cost him federal jail time.
#7 Posted by 676 on December 29, 2007 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Cornnachia is still allowed to fly commercially and play for the Everblades"
I guess this kind of behavior is acceptable for hockey players.Pay attention kids.
#8 Posted by doodlebug on December 29, 2007 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lil_mike, my brother is a pilot for American, based out of Dallas. I guarantee you this, Cornnachia will never step aboard one of their planes again.
#9 Posted by 676 on December 29, 2007 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YES HINDSIGHT. HOCKEY IS ABOUT EXPOSING YOURSELF, GETTING DRUNK AND FIGHTING. GET A CLUE!!
#10 Posted by upagain on December 29, 2007 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
waldini202..... guess they think football is bad too. well said
#11 Posted by SDW on December 29, 2007 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I could go for a tall cool one at Big Daddy's Lounge right about now...
Maybe your not such a d**chebag afterall Jagjg...
#12 Posted by Jadip811 on December 29, 2007 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
classic case of a man not being able to hold his liquor. we see it all the time, in every aspect of society. just because he is a hockey player, he's no different.
i do award extra style points for slappin' the male flight attendant, and for head-butting the other passenger. that's pure WWF-style entertainment!
he should do some federal time, but he won't. he'll be given a pass. let's hope he uses it.
#13 Posted by neoneapolitan on December 29, 2007 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have seen a number of players on 5th ave at Yabba's Nite Club on the weekend and I can tell you that they are the most rude, arrogant bunch of jerks I have ever encountered.
#14 Posted by boone1 on December 29, 2007 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Glass of wine $5.00, Plate of Lasagna $10.00, Being Italian Priceless !
#15 Posted by Greedyguts on December 29, 2007 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One Sambuca,Two Sambuca,Three Sambuca,Floor!
#16 Posted by Greedyguts on December 29, 2007 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Limoncello! Making clothes fall of since 1897.
#17 Posted by Greedyguts on December 29, 2007 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who was it that got fall down drunk at the Everblades' Christmas party and punched a fan in the face (breaking his nose)?
#18 Posted by morecaf on December 30, 2007 at 3 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You should see how these players act towards women in public!
#19 Posted by boone1 on December 30, 2007 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Send the SNOWBACK home!
#20 Posted by KR on December 30, 2007 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am in no way defending what was done, but i have a question and a statement. and i would like to say that this story has changed alot from the first posting.
boone1..just about everyone down there are snobs been there a few times my self, seem to be self entitled little snobs. so why would players that go there be any different?
morecaf, dont know why dont you fill us in? was it this year? what christmas party was it a private one? were you there or are you just repeteing a story you heard?
,
#21 Posted by SDW on December 30, 2007 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like an isolated incident, it could happen to anyone.
#22 Posted by doodlebug on December 30, 2007 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They should have kept pouring him drinks and then tied him into the chair and dropped him off in Winnipeg(without his bags).
#23 Posted by cupcake on December 30, 2007 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let them play hockey naked and headbutt the fans!
See who measures up!
#24 Posted by chickendog on December 30, 2007 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mike,
ive interviewed Cornacchia a few times. i see him after every game and i hope you are right...
Personally im very stiff towards people who do such things. As such i agree w/many on the forum: he deserves to be fired.
Professionally, it his Craig Brush's decision and so long as those above him dont say otherwise, who are we to question him about how to do a job we know he does well.
Only time will tell if Brush's decision to retain him was a good decision.
#25 Posted by wordofmouth on December 30, 2007 at 10:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow! and here I thought it was just a game?
If they are that angry to fight then why do they drop a perfectly good stick that they could do some real damage with?
I guess it is kinda like NASCAR? No fights, no crashes, no interest!
#26 Posted by chickendog on December 31, 2007 at 6:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He should be suspended at the very least if not fired. Allowing him to continue to play without punishment is ridiculous. We'll be reading about him again one day.
#27 Posted by maddog59 on December 31, 2007 at 6:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i dont know where you get the idea that these guys are dummies, about 95% have a degree of some sort and not just bulls*** degrees they are bio engineers and such.
sorry the folks(not fans)around you were the uneduciated ones. real fans understand the fighting and it is not the fight but the reason for it, ie defence of a team mate. dont see that in the everyday work place where coworkers would toss you under the bus just to get ahead.
as for the guys being angery, you are so far from the truth, they are all pretty happy and easy going because they are doing a job they love (unlike 90% of us). are there some exceptions, yes.
This young man deserves his day in court before he is convicted, and at that time i think Mr. Brush will make the right decision about his staying with the team.
to lump everyone togather is just wrong, my question would be, you were there does that make you part of the same lump???
#28 Posted by SDW on December 31, 2007 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
idontshare....
jeeeez man pull the silver spoon out of your arse. You sound like the proverbial prolitarian authority figure yourself; staring down your nose as you gave that unnecessarily long winded diatribe...Any rate, i digress...
BignRich...
Let me guess: bignrich=fat and inherited a bunch of money????
#29 Posted by wordofmouth on December 31, 2007 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
we were not speaking of me. but it just so happens you are right. retired from NASA last year.
#30 Posted by SDW on January 1, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was at the Christmas party. It was a fan club function for the players, coaches and other team staff. Not only did he slap a fan, he slapped another player and reached up under a women's dress and fondled her. He also refused to come out of the bar when requested to be part of a team photo for the fans at the event. He was a stumbling drunk with no respect for the fans who pay his wages and support the team as a fan club member who volunteer their time to make his life better during the time he is here. He is a disgrace to the team because of his actions. I have been season ticket holder for 9 of the 10 years and assure you that 98% of the players who passed through those doors were some of the most respectable and honorable folks I've met. He is not a fair representation of a minor league hockey player and certainly not a Florida Everblade. You want to meet one of the finest Everblades ever then you meet and talk to our Captain!!!
#31 Posted by BladeFan4Ever on January 2, 2008 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Boone1, have you ever been to a game? Have you met a player face to face and talked to them? Did you know they delivered Christmas toys to children in the hospital over the holidays? Did you know they go to local schools and read to children? Did you know they take time to sign hundreds of autographs, take hundreds of pictures and put big smiles on our kids faces? Did you know they go to fan club childrens functions and color pictures and interact with them? Did you know there are lockers adorned with pictures drawn by little girls with sparkles in their eyes and admiration in the hearts? Did you ever think they are like any other group of people, some great, some good and some not so good? Ever been elbowed in the head, slammed into boards, slashed in the face, watched someone cheap shot your buddy?
SDW, who you calling a snob?
"BladeFan4Ever drops his gloves, circles slowly and grabs two hands full of SDW's jersey"
Come on down to Germain Arena, I'll be one of 6,000+ looking for you. Go BLADES!!
#32 Posted by BladeFan4Ever on January 2, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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