Tie Domi Issues Statement On His Marital Problems

During his long N.H.L. career as one of the league’s best fighters, Tie Domi was revered for his ability to absorb inordinate amounts of punishments while patiently waiting to counterpunch. That same pattern seems to have developed in his stormy personal life as well.

After weeks of taking pot shots in the papers, Domi fired back on Thursday, issuing his first, and apparently last, public statement on his tumultuous personal affairs and divorce with long time wife Leanne.

After being portrayed as a brutish, selfish womanizer, Domi responded by saying his wife was equally responsible for the dissolving of their union.

“The truth is that after a number of years my marriage with Leanne has unfortunately come to an end. Our marital challenges are not a recent development. Indeed, in 1999 we separated for nine months. Since then, we have worked hard on our marriage but, sadly, it has been a struggle. I accept my part of the responsibility for the failure of our marriage but it has, indisputably, been a shared failure,” he said in a written statement.

He also maintained that, despite reports of his selfishness and aloof parenting, his family remains his number one priority.

“At all times, my highest priority has been to minimize the pain of this ordeal for Carlin, Max and Avery. Leanne and I will no longer be married but we will remain parents for the rest of lives. Like any Dad, I love our children enormously. I want them to grow up enjoying a healthy and strong relationship with both their Mother and their Father.”

In his statement, Domi made no mention of Liberal MP Belinda Stronach, the woman Leanne Domi claims he had an ongoing sexual affair with.

Domis come to last minute temporary truce

What’s in Leanne’s court statement?

You can read Domi’s full statement below.

“In recent days, media reports related to the failure of my marriage have received widespread coverage. As a former professional athlete, I am accustomed to public scrutiny and well aware that even profoundly personal matters can become fodder for gossip and rumour. That does not make the experience any less unpleasant.

I have been reluctant to comment publicly during this period because I did not wish to trigger yet further stories and speculation. In particular, I hoped to spare our three children any added spectacle. However, ongoing public assertions by Leanne have persuaded me that I should make a statement this one time to correct the public record.

The truth is that after a number of years my marriage with Leanne has unfortunately come to an end. Our marital challenges are not a recent development. Indeed, in 1999 we separated for nine months. Since then, we have worked hard on our marriage but, sadly, it has been a struggle. I accept my part of the responsibility for the failure of our marriage but it has, indisputably, been a shared failure.

At all times, my highest priority has been to minimize the pain of this ordeal for Carlin, Max and Avery. Leanne and I will no longer be married but we will remain parents for the rest of lives. Like any Dad, I love our children enormously. I want them to grow up enjoying a healthy and strong

relationship with both their Mother and their Father.

For that reason, I consented to a temporary settlement that would clear the way for progress. The details of that settlement are set out clearly in a document filed with the court that is publicly available. Among other things, I agreed to a consent order that would facilitate the parenting of the children.

In some media this has been referred to as a ‘restraining order’, as if to imply falsely that a threat was posed at some point. That is not and has never been the case.

I have instructed my lawyers to work tirelessly to secure a final divorce settlement that provides generously for Leanne and our children. At all times, I have been forthright and frank in the disclosure of my financial situation.

I am absolutely committed to meeting my responsibilities, including my financial responsibilities, to the family.

Going forward, I will work hard to isolate my children from the pain of this process. I will concentrate on being a good Father. And I will continue to build a new career beyond playing hockey.

This is a painful and private matter. It is not my intention to speak again about it in public.”