News

October 23, 2008

Not your typical hockey streak

Cops: Penguin Nathan Smith naked in street; Ryan Stone charged with drunkenness.

By Tom Venesky tvenesky@timesleader.com
Sports Reporter
Tom Venesky on Facebook   |   TLTomVenesky on Twitter

SCRANTON – Two Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins were charged by Scranton police following an incident early Sunday morning in which the team captain allegedly ran naked in view of a police officer.

According to the police report, officer Michael Marino was on routine patrol at 2:29 a.m. along the 100 block of Adams Avenue when he saw a group of men standing in the street. As he drove closer, one man, who police later identified as Nathan Smith, came out from behind the group and started running naked toward Marino’s location.

When the officer approached, Smith, who is the Penguins captain, apologized and said he acted on a bet.

Smith, 26, of Mountain Top, was charged with third-degree misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure, open lewdness, disorderly conduct and a summary offense of public drunkenness. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bail, according to Lackawanna County Court records.

Penguins forward Ryan Stone, 23, also was charged with public drunkenness when the group didn’t disperse. Stone has been with the Penguins since the 2005-06 season.

Smith, who joined the Penguins before the start of the 2007-08 season, issued the following statement on Monday:

“I would like to apologize to the people of Northeast Pennsylvania, my teammates, and to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Pittsburgh Penguins organizations. I made an embarrassing and regrettable decision this weekend and understand I will face disciplinary action. My conduct was unacceptable and totally out of character – it will not happen again. I promise to do my best to win back your trust and support.”

The Penguins organization also released a statement, calling the incident “unacceptable,” and apologized to the fans and community. The organization is cooperating with authorities and will take private disciplinary action against Smith and Stone.

When asked if the players would miss any games in the upcoming second round of the playoffs, head coach Todd Richards said he won’t make a decision until he has more information. The Penguins open the second round Thursday at the Wachovia Arena.

Stone didn’t practice on Monday, but Richards said it was for physical reasons.

Smith is tentatively scheduled for a preliminary hearing for May 5, according to court records.

A conviction of a third-degree misdemeanor carries a sentence of up to a year, according to Pennsylvania sentencing guidelines.

Tweet	Follow @TLnews

This story also appears on the following websites...