mikedanger
05-07-2009, 03:56 PM
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh police and the NHL's security office have investigated a death threat made against Washington Capitals (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=was) star Alex Ovechkin (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3101) on a Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pit) fan message board.
The post, reportedly written by a teenager from Chambersburg, Penn., said: "I'm killing Ovechkin and I don't care what happens to me."
The Penguins immediately informed local police, as well as the NHL and the Capitals.
"We were notified of the message and immediately turned over all information to the authorities," the Penguins said in a statement.
It is not known if criminal charges are pending, but officials don't believe Ovechkin was ever in any real danger. Ovechkin was aware of the threat, but did not comment when the incident was first reported by a local television station in Pittsburgh. The Capitals star has been escorted by police while in Pittsburgh for the Eastern Conference semifinals series, which Washington leads 2-1.
"We are aware of it. NHL security was contacted and worked with local law enforcement in handling the matter," NHL spokesman Frank Brown said Thursday.
"We became aware of an inappropriate comment on a message board and referred it to appropriate authorities," the Washington Capitals said in a statement. "We appreciate their diligence and have every confidence in our club's safety."
The post, reportedly written by a teenager from Chambersburg, Penn., said: "I'm killing Ovechkin and I don't care what happens to me."
The Penguins immediately informed local police, as well as the NHL and the Capitals.
"We were notified of the message and immediately turned over all information to the authorities," the Penguins said in a statement.
It is not known if criminal charges are pending, but officials don't believe Ovechkin was ever in any real danger. Ovechkin was aware of the threat, but did not comment when the incident was first reported by a local television station in Pittsburgh. The Capitals star has been escorted by police while in Pittsburgh for the Eastern Conference semifinals series, which Washington leads 2-1.
"We are aware of it. NHL security was contacted and worked with local law enforcement in handling the matter," NHL spokesman Frank Brown said Thursday.
"We became aware of an inappropriate comment on a message board and referred it to appropriate authorities," the Washington Capitals said in a statement. "We appreciate their diligence and have every confidence in our club's safety."