Former Golden Knights goalkeeper Robin Lehner comments on bankruptcy case | Golden Knights

For the first time in more than two years, former Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner has spoken publicly about his ongoing legal and personal challenges, denying claims that he was unavailable and incommunicado.

Court documents filed in October by several attorneys alleged that Lehner stopped responding to attorneys involved in the Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection that Lehner and his wife, Donya Lehner, filed in 2022 because they owed $27.1 million to creditors. Lehner took out several business loans, which he was unable to repay.

The attorneys also alleged that Lehner failed to file a change of address form with the court after vacating the couple’s former multimillion-dollar primary residence in Las Vegas.

Lehner expressed frustration with the hardships he and his family endured after injuries that kept him off the ice and a years-long bankruptcy battle.

“I don’t need sympathy or anything; Screw it,” he said during an exclusive phone interview with the Review-Journal. “Bring up something true and I can take it like a man. But everything is fake. Nobody has any idea what happened to my family and my life after all these things, and of course many people in the future will see what actually happened.

“But that makes me look like I’m going away and not answering anyone,” said Lehner, who declined to give his whereabouts but assured that he remains in touch with his family and loved ones.

Denies former lawyer’s claims

Lehner claims he has power of attorney for his former attorney Zach Larson and the law firm Larson and Zirzow, LLC. He said Larson and the law firm had clear instructions to let him know if there was anything he needed to be involved in or made aware of.

Lehner said that talks between the two sides ended in December 2023 after he could no longer pay Larson for his legal services, and that he was not the one to avoid his role in the bankruptcy case.

“But unfortunately different circumstances will arise in the future and people can judge me based on that. I couldn’t keep paying,” Lehner said. “And when I couldn’t keep paying, we just lied to the court and now it’s in the (newspapers) and it looks great to me (as a) father,” he said sarcastically.

He continued: “Have I tried to fix things and do good? Yes, of course.”

Lehner also disputed a court filing showing that he and his wife sold several high-end clothing items, shoes and handbags, and claimed in text messages with the RJ shortly after the phone conversation that those items did not exist.

Lawson did not immediately respond to multiple requests for comment.

Lehner said he believes the negative publicity he is receiving as a result of his bankruptcy case is damaging his reputation.

“When I actually had a pretty good reputation since I was in rehab and had a great year on Long Island – the best organization ever,” Lehner said. “It was incredible all the way to Chicago. And Vegas, I said it from the start, cutthroat, I won’t stand for that. They have no feelings and that’s why they win. Is it a good thing? Is it as it should be? I don’t know. We can discuss it. I don’t care.”

NHL career in question

Lehner declined to comment on whether his physical condition and injuries, as well as the subsequent surgeries he underwent, would lead to the end of his NHL career.

He joined the Knights via a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks in February 2020 and signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the team in October 2020. He played his last game for the Knights on April 20, 2022. Lehner first played in the NHL in the 2010/11 season as a member of the Ottawa Senators.

Reptile farm

A Missouri reptile farm owned by Lehner received widespread attention during his bankruptcy proceedings after the farm’s former owner was murdered by his wife. Lehner complains that the problem with the reptile farm was reported for the first time because an initial report claimed that he had gone bankrupt because of the farm alone and the $50 million in debts associated with it.

Lehner said he had good intentions when he purchased the farm, but the situation didn’t turn out the way he imagined.

“I was actually trying to do something good with the snakes,” Lehner said. “I have been an animal lover all my life. I have seen how much the USA imports all the snakes from nature. I have been all over Florida and personally know everyone who sells animals in the USA. It’s an insane amount. So I wanted to start a retirement plan that was failing for other reasons and do something good by breeding reptiles in captivity and stop taking them from the wild. But it’s nowhere near what all these people are saying.”

Although the reptile farm wasn’t a big moneymaker, Lehner said he was happy with owning the reptile farm, but “a lot of other things that will come out in the future have destroyed it.”

Personal struggles

Outside court, Lehner said he has been going through some personal issues that he will disclose at some point in the future.

“But it was a very hard time, I blame myself for that and I’m not going to say it’s everyone else’s fault, but the media blew it up,” Lehner said. “I’ve been trying to get back on my feet ever since.”

Lehner’s mental health issues have been well documented throughout his career, particularly after he completed rehab for substance abuse and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In 2019, he gave a powerful speech to a national television audience as he accepted the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded each year to the NHL player who “best embodies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game of hockey.” .

While Lehner was going through his recent troubles, he said that he has been through the crisis but is not hoping for pity from anyone.

Time to speak up

After years of staying away from the spotlight, Lehner said the entire situation has been difficult for him and he feels it’s time to finally address the situation.

“I was quiet for a very, very long time and everything from the beginning was obviously very hard on me and my family,” Lehner said. “They do their best. I do my best.”

Contact Mick Akers at [email protected] or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.