In a recent interview at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour, Shane Pinto reflected on the tumultuous events that unfolded during the 2023-24 season. The Ottawa Senators forward found himself sidelined at the beginning of the campaign due to a contract dispute, only to face a suspension of 41 games for his involvement in “activities relating to sports wagering” last October.
Despite the setbacks, Pinto persevered and returned to the ice for a strong second half of the season. However, watching his teammates struggle with high expectations and witnessing the firing of head coach D.J. Smith in the midst of a downward spiral was difficult for the young player.
“It just didn’t feel that way in the moment,” Pinto remarked, emphasizing the challenges he faced during his time away from the game. He acknowledged the need for maturity and growth, recognizing the valuable lessons he learned through adversity.
“I had to mature a lot,” Pinto admitted during the media tour. “It has been a blessing in disguise, in a sense. It taught me a lot about how much I love the game and how much I miss it, and how much of a part of my life it is.”
While Pinto did not delve into the specific details that led to his suspension, he opened up about the incident on the “Empty Netters” podcast over the summer. He admitted to making a mistake by having friends in the U.S. place online bets on his behalf while he was in Canada, leading to a violation of NHL rules.
“That’s proxy betting, so that’s obviously a big no-no,” Pinto explained on the podcast. “It was, like, an illegal act, so obviously it was a pretty big deal. That’s why we didn’t want to fight (the ban) and we just kind of accepted it.”
Despite his error, Pinto maintained that he did not bet on NHL games and claimed ignorance regarding the legal implications of his actions.
“I just didn’t know any better,” Pinto admitted.
As he looks ahead to the upcoming season, Pinto remains optimistic that the experience will ultimately benefit him in the long run. The 23-year-old expressed gratitude for the lessons learned and the opportunity to return to the game he loves.
“Everything I went through, I really believe it’s going to help me in the future,” Pinto said. And with that outlook, he gears up for a fresh start and a chance to prove himself once again on the ice.
