Matthew Barnaby Arrested: ESPN NHL Analyst Accused Of Criminal Mischief

Associated Press

AMHERST, N.Y. — ESPN analyst and former NHL player Matthew Barnaby pleaded not guilty Saturday to charges stemming from an argument with his estranged wife at an upstate New York home.

The 38-year-old Barnaby was arrested Friday and spent the night in jail after being picked up at a home in Getzville, a hamlet in Amherst where his wife and two children live, police said.

He pleaded not guilty to five charges, including criminal mischief, criminal trespass and harassment, and was released on his own recognizance.

Barnaby said in a statement Saturday that the argument involved a "family matter" and didn't include physical violence or the threat of violence. He said the past few months have been difficult for his family since he and his wife have decided to divorce.

ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said the network is looking into the situation.

Barnaby broke into the league with the Buffalo Sabres and had a reputation as a league tough guy.

The Ottawa native played for seven NHL teams before retiring in 2007 because of a concussion sustained during a fight.

Barnaby joined ESPN in 2008 as an NHL studio analyst. He lives in Buffalo.

Comments

[SuperRyan]

07:24 PM on 05/17/2011

We all know this story is a fake, ESPN doesn't have hockey analyst.

[jeremykasperson]

02:51 AM on 05/16/2011

He's been separated from his wife for several months, and dating SportsNation's Michelle Beadle during the separation. This sounds like a custody altercation to me. Matt attempts to pick up the kids on Friday night for his weekend, and the soon to be ex-wife disagrees and calls the cops. It could happen to anybody. This doesn't make Matt a bad guy; it means he has a pain-in-the-neck ex-wife.

[unknownsoldier53]

05:38 PM on 05/15/2011

Classic H//P story. A sports page that despises ath/letes. Gee, he might actually be innocent. But that's not the point on the H///P sports page.

[johndpieper]

12:52 AM on 05/16/2011

I read this article over and over and over again. Nowhere does it claim Barnaby is guilty. It says he was arrested, it said what his charges are, it says how the arrest came about, and it says how Barnaby pleaded. Plain and simple. There is not one comment implying or directly stating he's guilty. I think you are far too sensitive, my friend. Relax! There aren't conspiracies around every corner, nor are there boogey men under your bed.

[BIG MAMA CORNBREAD]

04:24 PM on 05/15/2011

tough lesson...love 101....know when to hold them...know when to fold them..old song....new date same application....good luck.

[ConsensusReality]

04:18 PM on 05/15/2011

This could get him some serious time in the penalty box....

[LogicalMathMan]

12:55 PM on 05/15/2011

We should all be curious to see how this works out. Jalen Rose was removed because he dogged Duke over the University of Michigan.

[O K Ali]

03:53 PM on 05/15/2011

Uh, he was removed for not reporting the DUI arrest.

[Callyson]

12:53 PM on 05/15/2011

I know, innocent until proven guilty, but it might be easier to write about the ESPN commentators who *haven't* been arrested...LOL...

[Sad But True]

11:35 AM on 05/15/2011

How about we reserve judgement? Have we never seen a case of false accusation by a woman?

[O K Ali]

03:54 PM on 05/15/2011

When has that ever worked on the sports page?

[lightning36]

11:20 AM on 05/15/2011

He's getting a bit old to fight. I'll put my money on the wife.

[jeana21]

10:42 AM on 05/15/2011

More money, more problems...

[We Not Me]

10:15 AM on 05/15/2011

Post-concussion Syndrome?

[HarukoHaruhara]

11:52 AM on 05/15/2011

ESPN analyst syndrome.

[jukesgrrl]

11:09 PM on 05/15/2011

With a side order of my way or the highway?

[cphill]

09:29 AM on 05/15/2011

ESPN is evolving into The True Crime Network.

[Quotidien]

08:58 AM on 05/15/2011

This is becoming a weekly occurrence. I heard the company offers bail money as an employee benefit.

[Gigity]

03:23 AM on 05/15/2011

Getting arrested is apparently a pre-req for working at ESPN.

[plzchuteme]

07:28 AM on 05/15/2011

You gotta earn your cred.

[Mattinnyc]

08:34 AM on 05/15/2011

You got that right. Lots of abuse too. Marriotti, barnaby and I forget the other guy

[Gigity]

10:05 AM on 05/15/2011

Jalen Rose, Howard Bryant, Marriotti, Barnaby etc etc

[agness nutter]

03:12 AM on 05/15/2011

You should have corrected "natice" at the same time "Ottawa" was corrected.