BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Sabres have placed player development coach Adam Mair on administrative leave this Thursday. The decision comes after reports of the former NHL player’s arrest for driving under the influence, with three minors in his vehicle, last week.
The Sabres organization has limited itself to confirming that they are aware of the situation, without offering further comments on the matter.
According to reports from WGRZ-TV Buffalo, citing court documents, Mair was arrested in the suburbs of Rochester, New York, on September 4, after rear-ending another vehicle. The 46-year-old former player faces charges for three felonies and three misdemeanors, including aggravated driving while intoxicated with a minor in the vehicle and endangering the welfare of a child.
A source from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the filing of a police report related to Mair on the mentioned date, but refrained from revealing specific details.
So far, no response has been received from Stephen Sercu, Mair’s lawyer, to requests for comment.
WGRZ reported that a police officer detailed in the police report that he perceived a strong smell of alcohol on Mair’s breath, in addition to noticing his red and glassy eyes.
Authorities indicated that Mair did not pass sobriety tests at the scene and initially refused to submit to a breathalyzer test at the police station. She later changed her mind and agreed to the test, which revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.2%, exceeding the legal limit of 0.08% by more than double.
Mair, originally from Hamilton, Ontario, had an 11-season career in the NHL, including a seven-season stint with the Sabres. He retired after playing in the minor leagues in the 2011-12 season and was hired by the Sabres as a development coach in 2015.
Mair’s suspension comes just as Buffalo is hosting a five-day prospect tournament involving four other NHL teams. The Sabres are scheduled to begin their training camp next week.
