Ryan Malone charged with DUI, cocaine possession

TAMPA - Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Malone was arrested early Saturday morning on charges of driving under the influence and cocaine possession.

Tampa Police say they saw a Chevy Suburban driven by Malone traveling on South Armenia Avenue around 3:15 a.m. The vehicle reportedly made a left-hand turn onto Platt Street from the center lane, and hit a curb in the process.

Officers initiated a traffic stop and say they determined Malone was intoxicated. As he was being arrested for the DUI, police discovered 1.3 grams of cocaine in Malone's rear pocket.

Malone was taken to jail and charged with DUI and cocaine possession.

Police say Malone refused a field sobriety test. While in custody, Malone allegedly submitted a breath test, giving blood alcohol levels of .112 and .116. Florida law considers a driver impaired at .08.

Malone was released from the Hillsborough County jail on $2,500 bond. Jail records didn't show whether he had an attorney. His vehicle was impounded.

"We are aware of the situation concerning Ryan Malone this morning," Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman said in a statement released by the team. "Ryan will not travel with the team to Washington today but beyond that we can not comment further at this time."

Malone has played for the Lightning since 2008, and was named to the U.S. men's hockey team in the 2010 Winter Olympics, winning a silver medal at the Vancouver Games. He has been a healthy scratch the past three games and has five goals in 57 games.

He has one year left on his contract at a salary of $2.5 million and a cap hit of $4.5 million, according to capgeek.com.

This story was reported by Gannett TV station 10 News WTSP in Tampa-St. Petersburg. Contributing: The Associated Press