Nikolai Khabibulin, the goalie on the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL, was recently charged with a DUI in Arizona, according to the Toronto Sun. Scottsdale police pulled over Mr. Khabibulin because the hockey player was allegedly driving 70 mph in a 45 mph zone.
News reports say that 37-year-old Nikolai Khabibulin failed a field sobriety test and that officers smelled alcohol on Mr. Khabibulin's breath. Officers gave him a blood test in the Scottsdale police station on the night of his arrest on February 8.
The NHL hockey player is now being charged with DUI - impaired to slightest degree, DUI-BAC of .08 or more, and exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 mph, which are all misdemeanors according to the Toronto Sun. An Arizona DUI attorney would be able to explain these charges in more detail if the hockey player needs more information.
But perhaps Mr. Khabibulin chose the wrong state to be charged with a DUI because the Grand Canyon state is known to have some of the toughest DUI laws in the country. A DUI conviction in Arizona carries a minimum of 10 days in prison; but even first-time DUI offenders in Arizona can serve up to 180 days in jail for a standard DUI, according to FindLaw Knowledge Base. Some U.S states still don't jail first-time DUI offenders at all.
And who knows how this DUI charge will affect Mr. Khabibulin's hockey game. Associated Press reports that Mr. Khabibulin is a four-time NHL All-Star who helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup in 2004. Though, it doesn't appear that Oilers are doing too well this season anyway.
Related Resources:
- Arizona DUI Law (FindLaw)
- Comparing State DUI Laws (FindLaw)
- Arizona DUI attorney directory (FindLaw)
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