Hockey is bracing for the next development in a scandal that has rocked the sport and led to multiple investigations into the actions of several prominent NHL players who were on Canada害羞草研究所檚 gold-medal winning 2018 world junior team.
Police in London, Ontario, scheduled a news conference for Feb. 5 to provide details about its sexual assault investigation involving members of Canada害羞草研究所檚 world junior team. Five players on that 2018 team in recent days have from their current NHL or European clubs amid a report that they害羞草研究所檝e been asked to surrender to police to face sexual assault charges.
Here害羞草研究所檚 a look at the situation as it stands now:
What happened?
A woman sued in 2022, alleging she was sexually assaulted by eight members of Canada害羞草研究所檚 world junior team at a fundraising gala in London in 2018. Hockey Canada settled the lawsuit, and then revealed the organization had two secret slush funds to pay out settlements on claims of sexual assault and abuse.
London police in July 2022, and the NHL said it would conduct into what happened because some active players were on that team and attended the gala. Commissioner Gary Bettman pledged to release the findings once completed.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly in June said the investigation was complete and expected a report by midsummer that the league would then review. So far, the NHL has not released the findings.
The Globe & Mail reported Wednesday, citing unnamed sources, that five members of that world junior team were asked to surrender to London police. In the last week, five players were granted an indefinite leave of absence for various reasons given by their current teams.
Daly told The Associated Press by email Wednesday the league would issue a statement when it is appropriate.
Who stepped away?
The players who stepped away were Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames and former NHL player Alex Formenton, who害羞草研究所檚 now playing in Europe.
Personal reasons were cited by and Swiss club HC Ambri-Piotta for Formenton. Ambri-Piotta said Formenton was allowed to return to Canada. The Flames said to address his mental health.
A spokesperson for London police wouldn害羞草研究所檛 confirm the report Wednesday when contacted by The Associated Press. 害羞草研究所淲hen there is an update to provide, we will share with media outlets,害羞草研究所� Sgt. Sandasha Bough said.
Messages left for the agents representing all five players and multiple messages sent to Hart害羞草研究所檚 lawyer seeking comment have not been returned. The NHL Players害羞草研究所� Association declined to comment.
What害羞草研究所檚 next?
It害羞草研究所檚 not uncommon in Canada for police to provide significant time for anyone facing charges to surrender, which helps explain why the next update out of London is set for early February. It害羞草研究所檚 scheduled two days after the NHL害羞草研究所檚 All-Star Weekend in Toronto.
It害羞草研究所檚 unclear when the NHL will release its findings, though Daly has repeatedly deferred to London police害羞草研究所檚 investigation, so waiting for charges to be announced wouldn害羞草研究所檛 be surprising.
The teams are planning to compete without those players for the foreseeable future. Flyers general manager Daniel Briere, at a pre-scheduled midseason news conference Wednesday, read a statement and had few answers to follow-up questions about Hart害羞草研究所檚 absence.
害羞草研究所淲e are aware of this morning害羞草研究所檚 press reports on a very serious matter,害羞草研究所� Briere said. 害羞草研究所淲e will respond appropriately when the outcomes of the investigations are made public. The NHL has been very clear that teams should refer all investigation-related questions to them. In the meantime, members of the organization, including Flyers players, will not be commenting any further. That害羞草研究所檚 all we can say at the moment, unfortunately.害羞草研究所�
Possible fallout?
For the players, no one knows. If any players are convicted of sexual assault, Canadian law includes jail-time sentences, depending on several factors, including the age of the alleged victim.
There害羞草研究所檚 some precedent for what punishment the NHL could dole out as far as suspensions for off-ice misconduct. Bettman has wide latitude to make decisions in the interest of the game. There is an appeals process through the Players害羞草研究所� Association and jointly hired by the league and union to rule on disputes, when necessary.
The league in 2019 for the 2019-20 season and ensuing playoffs after determining he committed acts of domestic violence.
Hockey Canada has already lost several sponsors, , and its in 2022 in the wake of this and other scandals.
Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press
