Drunk driving is anything but a laughing matter, but one has to wonder if the abuse Detroit Red Wings’ draft pick Riley Sheahan, who was arrested recently while driving intoxicated, will face from teammates, opponents and opposing fans will far outweigh any penalty handed down by the law.
Sheahan, the Red Wings’ top pick in the 2010 NHL draft, was wearing a purple Teletubbies costume (see above) when he was pulled over on a drunk driving charge in Grand Rapids, Mich., in late October, according to police.
Video taken by Grand Rapids Police Department dashboard camera shows Sheahan apparently wearing the costume of the purple Teletubby known as Tinky Winky when he was stopped.
According to a police report obtained by MLive.com, Sheahan blew a .30 at the police station after his arrest, almost four times the legal limit, and almost twice the limit needed to add a “super-drunk” charge to his current charge of driving under the influence.
Michigan’s “super-drunk” laws punish drivers charged for the first time with operating a vehicle under the influence who blow a .17 or higher — that’s more than twice the .08 limit deemed illegal for driving on Michigan roads, The Huffington Post reported.
So-called “Super-drunk” convictions carry a heavy price tag.
“Stiff fines and other costs can approach $8,000,” The Huffington Post added. “Plus, drivers convicted under the “super-drunk” law lose their licenses for 45 days, face longer stays in jail and have to undergo mandatory alcohol treatment.”
Sheahan, who played college at Notre Dame, is a native of St. Catharine’s, Ontario. The “super drunk”’ charge could also result in possible deportation.
Sheahan is currently playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League. Through 15 games, he has three goals and two assists for the Red Wings’ farm team. He got into one game with the Red Wings at the end of last season.
To top things off, it was reported that Sheahan was carrying the identification of Brendan Smith, another Detroit prospect who is expected to join the team when the NHL lockout ends. Sheahan was also charged with providing police with false information, according to the police report.
Sheahan pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Nov. 6.
(Above: Detroit Red Wings’ prospect Riley Sheahan after being pulled over by Grand Rapids, Mich., police on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.)
The Cotton Boll Conspiracy 
First road game after an arrest is always “fun” :).
Oh, yeah. Actually, first game in *every* away rink after an arrest is fun. My question is, what did he say to his teammates when they found out?