Source: Clarke told ECHL about T-Sharks April 15, 1999

Former Tiger Shark Jason Clarke won't say whether he blew the whistle on the Tiger Sharks to the ECHL.

By Jack Corcoran
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Jason Clarke is still bitter over his departure from the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks.

He doesn't hide that fact.

Clarke is not saying much about the East Coast Hockey League's investigation into possible salary-cap violations by his former team.

But one source with knowledge of the ECHL investigation said Wednesday that the bruising forward did indeed blow the whistle on the Tiger Sharks, supplying testimony and evidence about illegal-payment practices that included signing bonuses and money illegally paid through expense checks.

"I can't say anything at this time," said Clarke, who was released by the Tiger Sharks on March 13. "I'm not in the position to say anything. It is none of my business what goes on here. I'm with Pensacola now, and I can't tell you what other people made or got paid under the table. I don't know."

Tiger Sharks coach Jeff Brubaker would not comment Wednesday.

Clarke accused Brubaker of treating him unprofessionally after being cut in a late-season, veteran-rule-related release. He said he felt betrayed that he spent the season fighting the top heavyweights from around the league only to be cut 12 days after the trading deadline. He missed out on any shot at the playoffs when last-place Pensacola claimed him off waivers.

The wounds have not healed.

"I thought Bru and I were pretty close," Clarke said Wednesday. "I stuck up for him a couple times when he had arguments with players. I felt betrayed. It is personal between Bru and I. I could have been traded, and he should have traded me."

Since Clarke was not the only one who left the Tiger Sharks holding a grudge, there was much speculation Wednesday about who may have tipped off ECHL officials to possible salary-cap violations.

Several people may have had a motive to use the league's new whistle-blower rule, which encourages people with knowledge of possible impropriety to contact the ECHL. And it's possible that more than one person blew the whistle.

Brubaker traded or waived several players during the season. There is speculation that other spurned players might have contacted the ECHL.

Former general manager Joe Sloboda, who resigned in March after it became clear he was going to be fired at season's end, said he didn't inform the league. Former assistant coach Mike LaZazzera, who was fired in midseason, also said he didn't have any involvement with the investigation.

Clarke would not go that far Wednesday.

"I'm not saying anything right now," Clarke said. "I have handled myself on a professional basis. That is my comment, and you can take that for what it's worth."

Posted at 12:23 a.m. EDT, Thursday, April 15, 1999