The NHL suspended the former general manager of the Arizona Coyotes, John Chayka, until December 31, 2021, a source confirmed to ESPN.
Commissioner Gary Bettman pronounced the decision on Monday and distributed a memorandum to all teams stating that Chayka was engaging in ‘behavior detrimental to the league and game’. Bettman’s ruling also said Chayka “violated his obligation to the club.”
The suspension is related to Chayka’s pursuit of other opportunities while under contract with the Coyotes and ending his contract with another three years on it, a source said.
Chayka, 31, abruptly left the Coyotes in July, just before the playoffs. The club said in a statement at the time: ‘The club is disappointed in its performance and timing as the Coyotes prepare to enter the NHL’s downtown Edmonton, where the team will start playing for the first time since 2012 after the season. . Chayka has chosen to quit a strong and competitive team, a dedicated staff and the Arizona Coyotes fans, the biggest fans in the NHL. ‘
In his own statement in July, Chayka wrote: “I love our players, coaches, staff and fans, and I very much wish I could be with the team in Edmonton. The situation created by ownership makes it unfortunate impossible.”
Sportsnet first reported the suspension of Chayka.
According to sources, the suspension – which he is working for in any capacity for any NHL club – is not related to the sanctions that the league imposed on the Coyotes in August. The team was deprived of the choice of the second round in 2020 and the first round of 2021 for violating the scouting combination policy to conduct physical testing of players fit for draft, which took place under Chayka’s watch.
Chayka was appointed by Arizona in 2016 at the age of 26 and becomes the league’s youngest general manager.
The Coyotes’ executive staff recently had a significant turnover. Bill Armstrong, formerly the assistant general manager at St. Louis, was appointed to replace Chayka. Xavier Gutierrez was appointed president and CEO in June. And this month, the club announced that franchise legend Shane Doan is rejoining the organization as chief hockey development officer.