Mike Bray

Former Moosehead pleads not guilty to charges
hfxnews.ca, May 9, 2007

A former right-winger with the Halifax Mooseheads and one-time NHL draft pick is in trouble with the law.

On Monday, John Michael Bray pleaded not guilty to a series of charges including possession of cocaine, possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana, and possession of a knife “that opens with centrifugal force” without being a holder of a license.

The 24-year-old, who now lives in Trois-Rivieres, is scheduled for trial on April 30 in Halifax provincial court.

Bray played 28 games with the Halifax Mooseheads during the 1998-99 season. In 2001, he was drafted by the New York Islanders of the NHL, but never played with the team.

Police say Bray was arrested on Argyle Street on June 14 for public intoxication. A subsequent search of the man at a Halifax Regional Police Station allegedly found the drugs and weapon.

HOCKEY: RECORD MAY END BRAY'S CAREER
Edmonton Sun - July 9, 2005

Stabbing a man during a fit of road rage in Halifax could cost minor leaguer John Bray his professional hockey career.

Bray, a 2001 draft pick of the New York Islanders, was sentenced to six months of house arrest for the Oct. 1, 2003, incident.

Bray, 22, was initially charged with aggravated assault, but in January pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of assault with a weapon. He also pleaded guilty to committing mischief by damaging the victim's Mercedes by stabbing it with a knife.

The victim sustained painful wounds to his mouth, tongue, face, hand and leg, and a deep gash to his stomach.

Bray's lawyer, Lonny Queripel, said his client "deeply regrets his actions," adding alcohol was involved.

Queripel said Bray hopes to continue his hockey career, but noted the criminal conviction will prevent him from playing in the United States.

Queripel said Bray began using steroids in 2003 in hopes of improving his pro hockey prospects. But he said there's nothing to suggest that steroids contributed to his client's poor judgment.

(islesinfo.com note: I'm a little unsure of the validity of this story because they named the accused "John Bray" and not Mike Bray. But the rest of the information seems to be correct as far as the Islanders drafting him in 2001. So it may have just been human error. Bray apparently has not played hockey since 2003, so it looks like his career may have already been over.)

Bray is not known for finesse, but rather for his fists and physical play. But he can chip in offensively when asked. Scouted by Isles Quebec scout Mario Saraceno who believes Bray's upside is a 3rd to 4th line player in the NHL. CSB had him ranked 155th overal among North Americans. Wears number 27 for the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts.

2001-02 Update:

Bray was traded midseason from the Quebec Remparts to the Montreal Rocket. Four of his five goals came on the power play.

2002-03 Update: ( 11/1/03)

On October 28th, Bray was handed down a 10 game suspension. He was ejected from a game against Acadie-Bathhurst for getting into 2 successive fights. Bray apparently came back onto the ice to argue the call and according to league(QMJHL) rules, was assessed a 10 game suspension.

5/10/03

islesinfo comment: I don't know the details as to why, but apparently Bray did not return to the Montreal Rocket following his 10 game suspension back in late October. Either that or when he did return there was no place for him on the team. He apparently left to play in the MJAHL, the Maritime Junior "A" Hockey League in first Halifax and then Yarmouth. On March 12th, he was drafted by the Flint Generals of the UHL in the 3rd round, 23rd overall. He ended the season getting in 5 games with the Generals. His bio from FlintGenerals.com:

Bray, 20, was an eighth-round pick (228th overall) of the New York Islanders in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.  A 6-3, 210-pound forward, Bray has a reputation for toughness.  He accrued a total of 344 penalty minutes this season in 25 games for Halifax and Yarmouth in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League (MJAHL) – an average of 13.76 PIM per game – while also contributing four goals and 12 assists.  Prior to his arrival in the MJAHL, Bray played three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where his achievements included 317 penalty minutes in 41 games with the Quebec Remparts in 2000-01.