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EXCLUSIVE: Video shows Wild coach driving drunk with 12-year-old in car

Published  October 12, 2015 9:43pm CDT
News
FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

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FRIDLEY, Minn. (KMSP) - Minnesota Wild Assistant Coach Darryl Sydor pleaded guilty Monday to charges that he drove drunk with his 12-year-old son in the car on Aug. 20.  FOX 9 obtained exclusive dash cam video from the incident.

Sydor, 43, was sentenced Monday to spend two weekends in the Anoka County workhouse and four years on probation, with no jail time. The child endangerment charge was dropped.

The Wild coach was stopped at 5:15 p.m. on Highway 65 near Medtronic Parkway in Fridley. According to the criminal complaint, he told the officer he was lost while trying to get to the hockey game, and the officer noticed the 12-year-old boy was running a GPS app on his phone.

Police made contact with Sydor’s wife, who was visiting family in Canada at the time of the incident.  They agreed that an officer would drive the boy to his hockey game, and she said she would be flying home as soon as possible.

Sydor is a recovering alcoholic and just completed his second treatment. This is his first drunk driving offense. He released the following statement Monday.

"I apologize to my family, friends, the Minnesota Wild and the fans. I am deeply saddened and humbled by my actions. Recovery is giving me the opportunity to redeem myself to all I have hurt. The support I have received has been overwhelming and I couldn't be more thankful. The entire Minnesota Wild organization has stood by me and supported my family through this very difficult time. I can't thank them enough for that. I am putting recovery first for myself and my family, and with that, everything else will fall into place."

The Wild also released a statement regarding the incident.

"The Minnesota Wild is aware of the plea agreement reached today by Assistant Coach Darryl Sydor and respects the decision made by the Anoka County District Court. The team will continue to support Darryl, and his family, as he continues with his recovery. His return to the organization will be addressed at a later date."