Mike Ribeiro admits failing marriage caused behavioral issues

The Nashville Predators have recently signed Mike Ribeiro to a one-year deal it what is being called his last chance to play hockey after a humiliating buyout last year.

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The buyout from the Arizona Coyotes was due to what was labeled “behavior issues” according to general manager Don Maloney.

Ribeiro, in what can only be seen as a desperate move, called Predators general manager, David Poile, to pitch his case personally. The two, along with his wife sat down via Skype to discuss the situation openly. Afterwards, he called Peter Laviolette, the Predators’ new coach, to have yet another conversation about his future with the franchise. The last move was taking his family to visit Nashville out of his own pocket.The moves were successful and Ribeiro received the one-year offer after visiting the city.

Ribeiro is viewing this as his chance to prove to the league and fans alike that he has the skills to play the game he loves. He admitted that he and his wife went through a separation during the 2013-14 campaign, which caused a lot of distress in his life. “I didn’t really see my children during the year. I think that made me not focus on my job. I was not focused. Not committed to my job because of my issues. I just wanted the year to be over so I could focus on them,” he said.

The lack of focus caused Ribeiro to miss meetings, buses and even a few shouting matches in the Coyotes dressing room. However this is all in the past and Ribeiro has one last chance to prove that he can be professional throughout the sport.

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