Former NY Islanders Goaltender Robin Lehner Files For Bankruptcy

Former member of the NY Islanders and current goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights, Robin Lehner, has filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy in the District of Nevada.

According to the filing, Lehner and his wife, Donya, estimate the value of their assets to be between $1-$10 million while accountable for $10-$50 million due to creditors.

In early 2017, while Lehner was a member of the Buffalo Sabres, the Swedish national agreed to purchase a collection of exotic snakes from a man named Ben Renick for a $1.2M price tag. Lehner would become the owner of RL Exotics LLC, operating out of Plato, Missouri.

A few months following the transaction, Redick was found dead, as his wife Lynlee and her ex-boyfriend Michael Humphrey were charged with the killing. Lynlee was convicted of second-degree murder and is currently serving 16 years in prison, while Humphrey was convicted of first-degree murder and is serving a life sentence.

Following Lehner's purchase, he agreed to pay quarterly installments of $200,000 throughout the year. According to KMIZ in St. Louis, Lehner made an initial payment but failed to make any more following the death of Redick. In 2018, a lawsuit was filed against Lehner for failed payments.

RL Exotics consisted of three employees who oversaw the maintenance and feeding of the snakes. Following Redick's death. Lehner claims that he took on millions of dollars in costs taking care of the reptiles while they began breeding uncontrollably with the lack of supervision.

Last month, Lehner filed for bankruptcy in his native Sweden as it is reported he owes five million kroner in delinquent loan payments for a housing project that he failed to repay.

Lehner spent one season with the Islanders, where he found success on and off the ice. Lehner has made it public that he credits the Islanders organization and the fan base for helping him overcome his struggles with addiction.

Following the 2019 season, Lehner was awarded the Bill Masterson Trophy, awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. Along with the Masterson, Lehner and Thomas Greiss received the William M. Jennings Trophy as the goaltenders who allowed the least amount of goals throughout the season.

In 2020, Lehner agreed to a five-year contract with the Golden Knights worth $25M. According to CapFriendly, Lehner has signed six contracts throughout his NHL career, totaling $44.875M.