The Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club says it is aware of a post made online alleging one of its players is involved in a bookmaking operation but the player being implicated in the scheme is denying the allegations.
The allegations were made by a Twitter user under a pseudonym and have not been proven.
According to the post by Twitter user JoeyKnish22, Soo Greyhounds goaltender Tucker Tynan is alleged to be part of a bookmaking operation.
Tynan has denied the allegations in a public post on Twitter and called the situation ‘disgusting.’
“At first I thought it was a joke. Maybe a buddy was playing a small prank,” said Tynan in the post.
The 19-year-old player said he has received hundreds of hate mail messages in his direct messages after the allegations were made.
Tynan claims the allegations are an attempt to extort money from him.
“It was made clear what they wanted, when they obtained my number and messaged me..” said Tynan on Twitter. “They made it clear by any means necessary, their intention was to extort me out of money, as they claimed someone I know stiffed them.”
SooToday reached out to Soo Greyhounds for comment due to the seriousness of the allegations and because they are being widely tweeted by an account with more than 19,000 followers.
“The team and league are aware of the matter. We have no further comment at this time,” said Gerry Liscumb Jr., director of public relations for the Soo Greyhounds, in an email on Thursday.
Ontario Hockey League spokesperson Josh Sweetland said it is also aware of the allegations made against Tynan. All players in the OHL must adhere to a gambling policy as part of their contracts.
"The League takes such matters related to gambling and the integrity of our games very seriously and are in the process of reviewing the allegations," he said.
Bets on minor league sports, including the OHL, are prohibited by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which regulates gaming activities in the province.
The Twitter thread that contains the allegations include screen captures of chats that are alleged to be from Tynan or an associate.
SooToday will have more on this as information becomes available.