Mathew Barnaby could be deported back to Canada following DWI accusation
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Fired ESPN hockey analyst Matthew Barnaby's drunken driving charge jeopardizes an agreement the former NHL player reached to avoid potential deportation following an arrest earlier this year.
Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita called Barnaby's arrest this week "a serious matter," and warned it could have consequences on the Canadian's status in the United States because of his previous run-in with the law.
"If you allegedly commit another crime, you put your ACD in jeopardy," Sedita said Tuesday.
Sedita was referring to what's called an "adjournment in contemplation of dismissal" deal Barnaby reached in July to have five misdemeanor charges dropped in connection to a May domestic dispute with his estranged wife.
Sedita said it's too early to determine whether he'll seek to reinstate the charges in part because Barnaby has yet to appear in court on his DWI charge.
"It's just way too early in the process for me to make any decisions yet," Sedita said. "But it is a serious matter because depending on what decisions I make, that could have consequences to what he faces on the other side of downtown with federal authorities."
Barnaby's attorney, Frank LoTempio, has not returned several messages left with him. Attempts to reach Barnaby were unsuccessful because his cell phone mailbox was full Tuesday.
The 38-year-old is from Ottawa; he was charged with drunken driving near his suburban Buffalo home. Erie County sheriffs arrested Barnaby early Monday morning after finding him behind the wheel of a Porsche Cayenne that had damage to its front end and causing sparks because it was missing its front tire.
Barnaby had his license revoked after failing field sobriety tests and refusing a breath test.
He's scheduled to appear in court Jan. 17, but it's likely that date will be moved up.
He was fired by ESPN later in the day Monday.
Last summer, Barnaby avoided a potential deportation hearing by reaching a deal in which he was ordered to complete 500 hours of community service.
Barnaby was accused of damaging a car and causing about $300 damage by kicking a garage door in an attempt to enter a home where his wife and two children live in suburban Buffalo. He was barred from taking "offensive" action against his wife and to avoid contact with his wife's boyfriend. He was also ordered to attend anger management counseling.
The misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and aggravated harassment would be dropped after a year if he fulfilled the judge's order.
Barnaby broke into the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres during the 1992-93 season.
He played for seven teams in 13-plus NHL seasons, earning a reputation as a pesky agitator during a career in which he finished with 113 goals and 300 points. He also had 2,562 penalty minutes in 834 games.
He retired in 2007 because of a concussion sustained during a fight. He joined ESPN as a studio analyst in 2008.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/7...layer-ex-espn-analyst-face-deportation-canada
I know 2 peeps who would of. 
