Leafs forward Jiri Tlusty releases statement regarding photographs on Internet

TORONTO - Teenage forward Jiri Tlusty of the Toronto Maple Leafs issued a statement Tuesday night regretting that pictures taken of him found their way on the Internet.

The pictures were apparently taken while the Czech native was still playing for the Ontario Hockey League's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds last season.

"I used poor judgment in this instance last season and I have learned a valuable lesson," Tlusty said in a statement released by the Leafs following Tuesday's 4-3 overtime loss to Montreal. "It will not happen again and I have no further comment."

Leafs general manager John Ferguson also issued a statement.

"Photographs were posted recently on the Internet without Jiri's knowledge or consent," said Ferguson. "He made a naive mistake as a teenager. It's a lesson in how something private can easily become very public in the Internet age. Hopefully it's a lesson that other people will learn from as well."