what a bizarre story.  Do any of you Sport report guys on here know what happened?

I think it was Rookie Party shenanigans gone too far.

http://www.canada.com/victoria.....5d710fff&k=15282

Canadiens defenceman from Victoria arrested, charged in purse theft
Felony offence in U.S. could end career in North American professional hockey
Pat Hickey, Canwest News Service
Published: Tuesday, February 12, 2008
TAMPA, Fla. - Rookie Montreal Canadiens defenceman Ryan O'Byrne of Victoria was arrested and charged with third-degree grand theft early yesterday morning after he was accused of stealing a woman's purse at a popular nightclub in Florida.

O'Byrne, who had only just been called up from the Hamilton Bulldogs on Sunday, spent about six hours in a Tampa jail with teammate Tom Kostopoulos who was charged with resisting arrest. The two were released on bail yesterday morning.

The charge puts O'Byrne, a six-foot-five, 235-pound St. Michaels University School graduate, in a difficult position. Third-degree grand theft is a felony offence, and if convicted, he could be barred from travelling in the United States, effectively ending his career in North American professional hockey.

"I regret what happened there and I hope it's resolved quickly,"  O'Byrne, 23, said at a press conference. "Unfortunately, it's a legal issue and I can't tell you more than that."

Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey said the club hadn't taken any disciplinary action against the two players and they are both expected to play tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Monday evening started out on a high note for the players, who gathered for the team's annual rookie dinner at a high-end steak restaurant. After dinner, most of the players went to Whiskey Park, a popular nightclub.

At about 3 a.m., a woman at the bar discovered that her purse was missing and alerted a bouncer. According to the police report, O'Byrne was seen outside the bar holding the purse in one hand and a cellphone in the other. He told police that the purse belonged to his girlfriend but a check showed that the purse and the cellphone belonged to the woman, and that there was no relationship between O'Byrne and the woman. The police report said $20 was missing from the purse.

Tampa police put O'Byrne in a cruiser and several Canadiens players gathered around the car. Police ordered them to back off and Kostopoulos was arrested when he refused to obey the order.

O'Byrne was drafted by the Canadiens in 2003, and played his first NHL game in December. He previously played for the Peninsula Panthers, Victoria Salsa and Nanaimo Clippers.

Kyle Greentree, who grew up playing hockey with O'Byrne in Victoria, said the incident is probably a misunderstanding.

"Ryan is a great guy," said Greeentree, who makes his NHL debut tonight in Long Island, N.Y., with the Philadelphia Flyers.

- with files from Times Colonist