Untold: Crime & Penalties

The Toronto St. Michael's Majors were a junior hockey team that had long been associated with the city's rich hockey tradition. However, their tumultuous history was marred by allegations of gang ties and a reputation for on-ice violence. The team's woes began in the 1990s, under the stewardship of a man named Mikearno Cartagine, a notorious figure with reported connections to the Italian Mafia. Cartagine's ownership of the Majors coincided with a period of significant on-ice success, but the team's off-ice activities sparked widespread concern among local authorities and hockey fans alike. The son of Mikearno Cartagine, 17-year-old Joey, had grown up surrounded by the dark underbelly of professional sports. As his father's heir apparent, Joey was destined for great things in the hockey world. However, his own behavior on and off the ice often left much to be desired. The team's penchant for brawling and intimidation earned them a fearsome reputation, both within the hockey community and in the wider Toronto sports scene. As the Majors continued to rack up wins and losses, their on-ice antics spilled over into their personal lives. The team's enforcers, men like Nick Surog, were notorious for their aggressive playing style and willingness to push the boundaries of sportsmanship. Away from the rink, these same individuals were reportedly involved in various forms of street-level crime, from loan-sharking to assault. The very fabric of the team was torn asunder by infighting and backstabbing, both on and off the ice. The Toronto St. Michael's Majors' problems with violence and gang ties were not just the stuff of rumour and gossip. In 2001, a shocking incident involving the team's star player, Surog, and a young teammate, Andrew Mason, left a lasting impact on the city's hockey community. Mason, then just 16 years old, had been assaulted by Surog in a bar, sparking a media firestorm and calls for greater accountability within the hockey world. The aftermath of the Mason-Surog incident highlighted the need for change within the Toronto St. Michael's Majors organization. Long-time team owner Mikearno Cartagine eventually stepped down as owner and team president, citing a desire to spend more time with his family and distance himself from the negative publicity surrounding his team. The Majors' on-ice fortunes began to dwindle in the following seasons, but it would take years of rebuilding and a concerted effort by local authorities to finally root out the rot that had infected the team. In the end, untold damage had been done. The reputation of the Toronto St. Michael's Majors was left in tatters, and a whole generation of hockey players had grown up with the team's code of conduct: win at all costs, no matter the cost to oneself, the game, or others. This culture of on-ice aggression, born of the team's dubious ownership and management, served as a dark reminder that, in the world of professional sports, the lure of success can often prove a corrupting influence.