According to a former roommate, NHL player John Kordic had a snowballing cocaine habit that led to his death Aug. 8.
Sports Illustrated, quoting Bruce Cashman, says Kordic was using cocaine the night he died in Quebec following a struggle with police. Cashman said cocaine wasn't found in Kordic's hotel room because he probably took it all.Kordic died at the age of 27 of lung failure caused by a heart malfunction. A police search of Kordic's motel room revealed 40 unused syringes and a box of steroids. The results of his autopsy have not been made public and toxicology tests are still pending.
Kordic died while being taken by ambulance to a Quebec hospital. He was sent to the hospital by police after fighting officers who had been called to a motel by a report of a loud disturbance and abusive behavior. A police spokeswoman said Kordic appeared to be intoxicated when two officers arrived at the scene. They had to call for backup help and it took eight officers to handcuff the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Kordic.
Cashman, who operates a gym in Quebec City, said Kordic would become very paranoid while on cocaine - explaining his behavior when police arrived. In the Aug. 24 Sports Illustrated article entitled "Death of a Goon," Cashman said Kordic had been a cocaine user since his early days in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens.
Former Canadiens head coach Jean Perron, who had Kordic on his team as a rookie in 1986, previously stated he believed Kordic started using steroids that year because he feared being outmuscled by other "enforcers" in the league.
Cashman also said Kordic told him that Montreal coaches knew that other players were using cocaine.
Kordic had a history of alcohol-related problems. He was suspended twice by the Washington Capitals during the 1990-91 season for alcohol-related incidents. His stormy past also included reports of domestic violence, bar fights, an automobile accident and even a fight with a teammate.