Belfast GM Todd Kelman has told skysports.com that the Giants will stand by Sean McMorrow after he was hit with drugs charges.
Enforcer indicted on drugs charge
Belfast general manager Todd Kelman has told
skysports.com that the Giants will stand by Sean McMorrow after he was hit with drugs charges in the United States.
McMorrow, known in the Elite League as "The Sheriff", is accused of bringing 100kgs of a substance containing marijuana into the United States from Canada between 2003 to April 2005 with intent to distribute, according to a Western District of New York grand jury indictment.
The former Buffalo Sabres draft pick was playing for the AHL's Rochester Americans during the period he was alleged to have committed the offences.
In an exclusive interview with
skysports.com, Kelman expressed his shock at the charges but confirmed that the Giants would stand by McMorrow.
Outstanding
"We're backing him 100 per cent until we find out otherwise," said Kelman, who had yet to speak directly to McMorrow as of Sunday afternoon.
"He's innocent until proven guilty in my eyes, and until I hear differently then I'll back Sean. I know him well enough to know he's an outstanding guy and has been great for us in the community.
"He's been an outstanding individual and a great part of the team. I'm sure it's been a shock to him as well, it came out of nowhere from our end."
The Giants travelled to Scotland on Saturday by ferry for a weekend double-header against the Edinburgh Capitals.
Kelman has confirmed that McMorrow made the initial journey along with his team-mates but then turned back to Belfast after a discussion with Giants' player-coach Steve Thornton.
"They were travelling Saturday morning and coach Thornton spoke to him and decided that Sean should go back to Belfast to see how he should deal with it in whatever way he has to," Kelman added.
"As far as I know he'll be in contact with his lawyer back in the United States."
Adored
The charges against McMorrow, who received the most votes in a fan ballot for this year's All Star Game, have come as a huge shock to the hockey community in the UK, especially considering "The Sheriff's" reputation off the ice.
McMorrow has been actively involved in the Belfast community, helping to establish a weekly roller hockey camp among other initiatives, and has easily attracted more media attention than any other player this season.
His biography page on the Giants official website states: "I take pride in being a good role model for the kids that come to see us play, that is part of our duty and I will lead the charge with any and all community programs that the Giants take part in."
No details have emerged yet as to explain the five-year gap between the alleged charges and the indictment.
"He's adored by the fans and his team-mates love him and he's a great guy," Kelman said.
"From our point of view the official statement from the Giants is that we've had Sean on our team for seven months and we can't comment on anything other than what we know of him since he's been with the Giants."
