Former Detroit Red Wings star Vladimir Konstantinov has withdrawn as grand marshal of the Mt. Clemens (Mich.) Santa Parade, following alleged threats.
Mario Fundaro, 54, of Roseville, Mich., was charged Wednesday with stalking and was held in the Macomb County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. He is accused of threatening to shoot anybody who tried to stop him from blocking Friday’s parade if Konstantinov were in it.
Clinton Township police Capt. Gary Franey said Fundaro wrote a letter to the parade committee objecting to Konstantinov’s role as its marshal.
“He made references to Vladimir being a communist and being in the Red Army,” Franey said.
The parade coordinator received two threatening voice-mail messages, Franey said.
Konstantinov and team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov suffered disabling head injuries in a 1997 limousine accident.
– Red Wings forward Kris Draper will sit out at least six weeks after fracturing his right wrist during Wednesday’s game against St. Louis, coach Scotty Bowman said.
– The NHL suspended New Jersey Devils wing Bobby Holik for three games after he cut Anaheim’s Steve Rucchin with his stick during Wednesday’s game.
