FORMER NHL PLAYER CHARGED WITH DRUG POSSESSION

BRANTFORD, Ontario - Former NHL defenseman Bryan Fogarty was
arrested Saturday and charged with drug possession after a break-in at
a local school, police said.

Fogarty, who battled alcohol dependence when he played in the NHL from
1989-1995, signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in September as a free
agent, but spent the season in the minor leagues.

Fogarty, 30, was charged with breaking and entering and possession of
a controlled substance after someone forced open the kitchen doors at
the Tollgate Technological Skills Centre early Saturday morning. He
was found standing naked in the kitchen with cooking oil spilled on
the floor around him. He was in possession of a controlled substance,
possibly cocaine, according to Brantford police.

A native of Brantford, Fogarty has spoken publicly about his problems
with alcohol dependence and has spent time in a rehabilitation center.

Fogarty showed great promise as a junior player, setting a Canadian
major junior record for points by a defenseman, with 155 in 66 games
in 1988-89 when he played for the Niagara Falls Thunder of the Ontario
Hockey League. That was the same season he was named Canadian major
junior defenseman of the year and player of the year.

Fogarty was drafted ninth overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1987
NHL entry draft, but never lived up to his potential. He debuted with
the Nordiques in 1989-90 but played in only 110 NHL games over the
next three seasons, also spending time in the minor leagues.

Fogarty also played with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal
Canadiens. He last played in the NHL in 1994-95 with the Canadiens,
and since then has played in the International Hockey League and in
Europe.