When thinking of the National Hockey League, the thought of slapshots and dekes flash through the mind. What doesn’t, however, is the involvement of its players in the mafia.

NHL players Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn are currently having decent hockey careers and look to have promising futures with the league. The NHL team the Montreal Canadiens have housed the brothers throughout their careers.

Pasquale Mangiola, a friend and associate of the Kostitsyn brothers, was arrested and is now facing drug-trafficking and illegal weapons charges. Mangiola and the Kostitsyn brothers often went to restaurants and bars together.

Mangiola frequently helped out the brothers by supplying them with lavish cars, attractive women and alcoholic beverages. He did this with full access to their credit cards. The brothers should know to never give an alleged criminal their credit card information or even let them buy them a drink.

Documents owned by the Kostitsyn brothers were unearthed during the arrest of Mangiola. Alongside these papers were cassette tapes featuring conversations held between the brothers and Mangiola.

Investigators have taken a close look at the Kostitsyn brothers and they have not accused them of anything criminal.

If crime were to come to the NHL, the commissioner would be on top of it. Once a general counsel of the NBA, Gary Bettman would not allow antics such as drugs and weapons charges influence the league like they do in the NBA.

Rumors say that the reason of Sergei moving down to the AHL (minor league) was his relationship with Mangiola. NHL executives declare that the move was due to performance matters associated with Montreal.

If there is one thing that should be taken away from this, do not associate with suspected criminals and/or mobsters.