Wild assistant coach charged with drunk driving
An assistant coach with the Minnesota Wild has been charged for driving while drunk after a test showed his blood alcohol level was almost four times the legal limit.
Darryl Sydor, 43, was charged in Anoka County District Court on Friday morning with two counts of driving while impaired.
Sydor was pulled over at about 5:15 p.m. on Thursday on Highway 65 after reports that he was driving erratically, according to the criminal complaint.
The Fridley officer who pulled Sydor over reported that he had "bloodshot, watery eyes, and slow, slurred speech." Sydor told the officer that he got lost while bringing his 12-year-old son, who was riding in the passenger seat, to a hockey tournament.
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At one point during the stop, Sydor turned to his son and told him, "I'm sorry," according to the complaint. He failed a field sobriety test and was arrested. He submitted to a blood alcohol test at the police station that came back at .30, almost four times the legal limit of .08.
An officer drove Sydor's son to his hockey tournament and the boy's mother, who was travelling in Canada, made arrangements to have him cared for.
"Drinking and driving is one thing," said Lt. Mike Monsrud. "But drinking and driving when you have your kid in the car, and are so obviously intoxicated that you make the choice to do that is very disappointing."
A spokesperson with the Minnesota Wild sent a short statement after a request for comment: "We are aware of the reports regarding Darryl Sydor. We are continuing to gather information and will have further comment at the appropriate time."
Monsrud said Sydor was still in custody at the Anoka County Jail on early Friday afternoon. Sydor was scheduled to make his first court appearance later in the day.
Sydor has spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Wild, according to his biography with the team. He previously served as assistant coach with the Houston Aeros.
Sydor played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings as the seventh overall pick in 1990. He won Stanley Cups with the Dallas Stars in 1999 and the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.