Known hockey jerk enraged by collision with ref during Sharks game

It took until the third game of the season for something to finally go right for the winless San Jose Sharks, although that good fortune didn’t even come from their own team.

Late in the second period, Hurricanes defenseman Dmitry Orlov had his shot blocked, causing a chase for the puck at the boards. Carolina defenseman Tony DeAngelo tried to join in the pursuit but was stopped dead in his tracks, and knocked to the ice, when he ran into referee Graham Skilliter’s elbow.

DeAngelo took exception to the hit and started jawing at the official as he skated away. Even after the official gave the Canes player a warning, DeAngelo continued mouthing off and was eventually given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. That still wasn’t enough of a deterrent for the Carolina defenseman, who kept shouting his way into a 10-minute misconduct penalty at the end of the period as he continued to berate the officials for the crime of being in the way.

Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour must have decided that the big penalty was a bridge too far, as DeAngelo did not get back into the game after his 10 minutes were up. It’d be a stretch to say that decision secured Carolina the win against San Jose on Tuesday, but the Canes did score four goals while DeAngelo sat out, for what it’s worth, and they won 6-3.

DeAngelo’s reputation of bad behavior certainly precedes him. He once picked up a three-game suspension for trying to wrestle away from an official in 2017 while he played for the Coyotes. He was also suspended twice from junior hockey for using “homophobic, racist, and sexist language” and abuse of officials.

There’s more beyond the ice. Throughout 2020, DeAngelo used his social media account to question the legitimacy of COVID-19, and share posts that claimed the presidential election that year would be rigged. He was also famously placed on waivers for fighting teammate Alex Georgiev. This is all to say these penalties could not have happened to a nicer guy.

San Jose has one point through three games this season with an 0-2-1 record.