Ducks’ Clayton Stoner expected to enter plea deal for illegal bear hunting

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Clayton Stoner will enter a plea deal on Friday for illegally hunting a grizzly bear.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Clayton Stoner is expected to enter a plea deal on Friday for illegally hunting a grizzly bear in British Columbia, reports the Canadian Press.

Stoner, 30, faces five charges related to a 2013 killing of a grizzly bear under the Wildlife Act, including two counts of making a false statement to obtain a hunting license, one count of hunting without a license, one count of hunting wildlife out of season and one count of unlawful possession of dead wildlife.

Authorities say that Stoner may have been ineligible for the hunting license due to the Wildlife Act requiring those who apply as resident hunters to be “Canadian citizens or permanent residents whose primary residences are in B.C. and who are physically present in B.C. the greater portion of each of six calendar months out of the 12 calendar months preceding both their application for the hunt and the date of the actual hunt.”

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Although Stoner grew up on Vancouver Island, he was playing for the Minnesota Wild during the time of the 2013 hunt.

In October, animal rights activists protested outside of the Honda Center for the Ducks’ home-opener calling for the defenseman to be suspended for his actions. 

Stoner is in his sixth season in the NHL and second with Anaheim after signing a four-year, $13 million deal as a free agent before the 2014 season.

In 13 games with the Ducks so far this year, Stoner has one goal and two assists.

- Beth Maiman