NHL Star Robin Lehner Breaks Silence on $27.5M Bankruptcy Battle
Robin Lehner, former NHL goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights, has recently addressed his bankruptcy situation in an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal. During his last active season (2021-22), Lehner posted solid statistics with 23 wins in 44 games, maintaining a 2.83 goals against average and .907 save percentage.
NHL goalie Robin Lehner
After signing a five-year, $25 million contract extension with the Golden Knights in 2020, Lehner's career took an unexpected turn. He had previously been open about his struggles with bipolar disorder, PTSD, and substance addiction, earning the NHL's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2019 for his perseverance and dedication to hockey.
In 2022, Lehner and his wife filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Court documents revealed that creditor Aliya Growth Fund sought an injunction to freeze Lehner's assets over concerns about $4.8 million in unpaid debt and alleged transfers to shell companies in Dubai.
The bankruptcy filings included allegations of significant spending, with creditors claiming $1.5 million was spent on vacations, gambling, and luxury items in 2022 post-bankruptcy filing. Lehner's total debt to creditors reportedly amounts to $27.5 million.
In his recent interview, Lehner defended himself against accusations of being unresponsive to legal proceedings, stating, "Everything is fake. No one has any idea what has happened to my family and my life." He indicated that more details about his situation would become clear in the future.
The NHL and Players' Association have agreed that Lehner's salary won't count against the Vegas Golden Knights' salary cap. While his future in professional hockey remains uncertain, Lehner has expressed that he's unsure if his playing career has concluded.