EX-NHLER COTE JAILED, BARRED FROM U.S.

Former National Hockey League forward Patrick Cote was barred from the
United States yesterday after pleading guilty in Malone, N.Y., to
conspiracy to possess 30 pounds of marijuana.

As part of his plea agreement, Cote will serve the first 180 days of his
sentence in the Franklin County jail, after which he will serve five years
probation and forfeit the 2001 Audi Quattro automobile used in the crime.

"One of the conditions of his probation is that he is not to be in the
United States under any circumstances," said Derek P. Champagne, Franklin
County district attorney. "It's my view that has pretty dramatic
circumstances both financially and otherwise for him and that's clearly
part of the punishment."

The maximum Cote could have received was five to 15 years in prison.

Because Cote will be arrested immediately if he sets foot on U.S. soil, it
puts a damper on any career in the U.S., Champagne said.

Cote, a native of LaSalle, has been in police custody since being arrested
for speeding May 17 in Malone, just south of the Canadian border. Police
found 30 pounds of marijuana in his car.

Substance-abuse problems began to plague Cote in March 2001. While with
Hamilton of the American Hockey League, he voluntarily entered the NHL
substance-abuse and behavioural-health program. No specifics were given at
the time about his problem.

Cote, a 6-foot-3, 220-pounder winger, was originally drafted by the Dallas
Stars in the second round of the 1995 NHL entry draft after playing for the
Beauport Harfangs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

He played six seasons in the NHL with Dallas, Nashville and Edmonton.