Several NHL hockey players are skating on thin ice after violating a judge's orders to give depositions this week and last in a case in California in which the players are suing golf-course developer Ken Jowdy for allegedly bilking them of millions they had invested with him to develop two luxury resorts in Mexico.
 
According to news sources, the current and former NHL players, including Sergei Gonchar of the 2009 Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, were "no-shows" for the scheduled depositions because they are in Vancouver playing hockey for various countries at the Winter Olympics.  Gonchar told news reporters that it was "frustrating" that the depositions were scheduled during the Games, "one of the biggest things you can participate in as an athlete."
 
Defendant Jowdy's attorney, Robyn Crowther, fumed that, "I don't think the judge is going to take kindly to it.  They clearly violated the judge's order, and we're going to get the case dismissed."
 
"Clearly my clients are not going to jeopardize their careers and participation in the Olympics to chase Jowdy at this time," Ronald Richards, attorney for the players, stated after voluntarily withdrawing the California lawsuit and noting his intention to refile later.
 
—Source:  New York Post