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Nikolai Khabibulin, the former goalie for the Phoenix Coyotes, was found guilty of DUI Friday after a single-day trial in Scottsdale.
We realize this is Phoenix, where most people don’t even know what a puck is — let alone a goalie with a last name like Khabibulin — but let’s try to give a shit about hockey, at least for a minute. If hockey isn’t enough to grab you, how about a pseudo-celebrity DUI story?
If either sounds intriguing, check out the story of Khabibulin’s wild ride after the jump.
Khabibulin was arrested back in February when, police say, he was speeding through Scottsdale in a black Ferrari.
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According to court documents obtained by New Times, Khabibulin was caught doing 70 in a 45 mph zone near Cheney Drive about 1 a.m. on February 8. When he was stopped, police determined he was drunk.
Khabibulin, an off-season Paradise Valley resident, signed a four-year, $15 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers last year but missed much of the season with a back injury.
At the time of his arrest, police said Khabibulin was at, or only slightly over, the legal limit of .08. But records of a blood test, uncovered by Scottsdale Arizona News, found his BAC was .164, which makes it an extreme DUI here in Sand Land.
He was also charged with exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 mph.
Khabibulin is lookin’ at a minimum sentence of 30 days in the hoosegow as well as fines and be forced to use a breathalyzer ignition device to start his car.
The maximum penalty is a six-month jail term.
Khabibulin’s sentencing is scheduled for tomorrow.
