Croat hockey star Borna Rendulic, known for his time in the Finnish SM-liiga, has found himself embroiled in a peculiar drinking scandal while playing for the KHL's Shanghai Dragons. Reports indicate that Rendulic was removed from his team’s plane before a scheduled away game in Moscow after being accused of attempting to board in an intoxicated state. This incident is drawing significant attention in the hockey community, particularly given the implications of player conduct in professional sports.

Initial rumors suggested that Rendulic had been seated in business class next to his coach, Mitch Love, which reportedly led to Love's anger and a subsequent ejection from the flight. However, journalist Pavel Lysenkov clarified the situation, asserting that Rendulic's departure from the plane was indeed due to his alleged drunkenness, which raises questions about professional behavior and the responsibility of athletes during travel.

This incident not only tarnishes Rendulic's reputation but also highlights the broader issue of alcohol use among athletes. The comment made by Lysenkov about the absurdity of sitting intoxicated next to a coach emphasizes the expectations of professionalism in sports. As the story unfolds, it may lead to further scrutiny regarding the policies teams have in place to manage player conduct, particularly in a league noted for its competitive nature like the KHL.