Tibbetts continues hockey journey
The Idaho Statesman has a story on troubled former-NHLer Billy Tibbetts.
"I've been labeled a child rapist in jail, a rapist on the street and a bad person in the hockey world — none of which is even remotely true," he said. "The one thing that is true is that perception becomes reality. I hope and pray some day people will judge me based on their experience with me and not on what they've heard or read."Have a look at Tibbetts winding hockey path as laid out on HockeyDB. The Steelheads are the 17th team listed for Tibbetts, and the guy was never drafted. Anyway, the only thing most hockey pundits know about him is his run-ins with the law, so this story is a welcome portrait of the guy. I found No. 8 quite interesting:
What's really amazing about the Tibbetts story is that he didn't play hockey for four full years (while in prison) and then stepped right into NHL-level competition. How that is even possible, I can't fathom. Take away all of his personal struggles, and you really do have a very talented hockey player. This is a man who knows the Webster's dictionary's definition of rape because of the stigmatism that has followed him wherever he has gone. He's put up nearly a point a game at the AHL-level (95 points in 111 games), even with all of the suspensions and personal problems.How would you describe yourself as a hockey player?
"I'm a frustrated NHL-level player in the East Coast Hockey League. However, I understand how I got here and why I haven't been able to get back and play in the NHL."
I'm going to be watching closely how he does in the ECHL (five points in four games so far, with 33 PIMs of course). He is likely too good for the league, but at age 30 and with his history, it's hard to see another AHL squad taking a chance on him.
An assist to VodkaFish for the story.
by James Mirtle @ 3:29 PM
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3 Comments:
I made clear my opinion on Billy Tibbetts a year ago:
http://www.letsgowings.com/blogs/tascastake/archives/2004_02.html#000092
There's a lot of dirt on this guy that has never been reported. When you talk to teammates, female reporters, and coaches that have dealt with Tibbetts, you hear some stories that are without precendent.
I don't care how misunderstood Tibbetts is, his penchant for deliberately injuring opponents throughout his career shows a disregard for human life that is frightening.
Who cares about that last comment. I will tell you this now, knowing him personally on and off the ice. Billy Tibbetts plays with more heart and soul that most TEAMS that he has played with. It is unfair enough that these hack refs we play with give him endless reputation calls, but these random "people" who weren't there the day the groupie did what she did to him (thats right, to him)that has every a-hole from here to Boston using the word "rape" when describing him... you should all be ashamed. He's a rough player, but talented as well, and hockey needs that. Unless you know him or skate with him, save your comments. Critics are cowards. Read the article in the Idaho Statesman... http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2005502040352
http://www.billytibbetts.com/
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