Former NHL goon arrested for theft at Home Depot
A long-time minor-league brawler finds himself in one scrap he might not be able to win.
According to a report in The Daily Journal, Frank "The Animal" Bialowas was charged with shoplifting in Vineland, NJ this week after he was reportedly observed concealing a $54 dimmer switch, “to avoid paying for it.”
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The 44-year-old was processed and released on a summons.
Bialowas played in just four NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1993-1994 season but he was revered for his over-the-top ferocity during an 11-year minor league career.
He earned a career-high 352 penalty minutes during the 1993-94 season with the AHL St. John's Maple Leafs, but was best known for his play with the Philadelphia Phantoms, the top affiliate of the Flyers. From 1996-98 he picked up more than 500 penalty minutes and played a key role as the team won the 1998 Calder Cup.
He was inducted into the Phantoms Hall of Fame in 2005.
Although he never played for the Flyers, Bialowas has been an active member of the team's alumni association, playing alongside some of Philly's greatest legends in charity hockey and softball games. He appeared with the alumni just last month to raise money for autism awareness.