NHL may identify, discipline players involved in settled sexual assault case
Content warning: The following article contains information relating to sexual assault.
A woman who alleged that she was sexually assaulted by eight CHL members, including members of the 2017-18 World Junior Championship team that went on to win the gold medal, agreed to a settlement to drop a lawsuit against the players, the CHL, and Hockey Canada, according to TSN reporter Rick Westhead.
A woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by eight CHL players, including members of Canada’s 2017-18 World Junior team, has agreed to drop a lawsuit against the players, Hockey Canada, and the CHL after reaching a settlement.
Story from @rwesthead: https://t.co/PzLvQ8p9Wm pic.twitter.com/fHS2BAhZFv
The woman filed the case at the Ontario Supreme Court in London, Ontario on April 20, pertaining to events occurring at a Hockey Canada Foundation gala and golf event in the city on June 19, 2018. The reports claim that after the event she was repeatedly assaulted by eight players in a hotel room while intoxicated. The eight players were left anonymous in the statement.
The woman also alleged that Hockey Canada was made aware of the allegations, but failed to conduct an investigation of the players involved.
The 2017-18 team involved in the allegations won the gold medal at the tournament in Buffalo that year, defeating Sweden 3-1 in the gold medal games. The event where the alleged assault took place was honoring the team’s gold medal victory.
This is the first time the allegations and case information has been made aware to the general public.
UPDATE — May 26, 6:20 p.m. ET
The NHL issued a statement saying that the league will look into the case and that discipline could be handed down on the players involved.
NHL statement on lawsuit against Hockey Canada and Canadian Hockey League. pic.twitter.com/3NGDPr87v0
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 26, 2022