NHL finds no evidence to support sexual assault and grooming allegations against Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Ian Cole
Content warning: This story includes subject matter related to sexual assault.
The NHL has cleared Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole a week after anonymous sexual assault allegations were levied against the player saying no evidence to substantiate them was found.
In a statement released Saturday, the league said attempts to contact the source of the allegations were unsuccessful. On Oct. 7, 2022, a newly created Twitter account with the name Emily Smith levied allegations against Cole that he groomed and sexually assaulted her while she was underage.
The tweet tagged the NHL, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and other news outlets, and limited those who could respond to just those tagged accounts.
The NHL responded to the tweet directly asking the person behind the account to direct message them. The Lightning, meanwhile, suspended Cole with pay pending a league investigation, which has now been closed.
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— NHL (@NHL) October 14, 2022In a statement, the league said two interviews were conducted with Cole, and others with NHL club personnel and other individuals with potentially relevant information.
“Further, the investigation included a detailed review of on-line and social media, public data, and court records and law enforcement checks,” the league added. The investigation was conducted by the league’s security and legal departments.
Cole, 33, signed a one-year, $3-million deal with the Lightning this offseason and has appeared in 670 NHL games with the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, and Carolina Hurricanes.
In a statement via the Lightning, Cole said: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to respond to and refute the anonymous allegations made against me, which I categorically deny. I’m looking forward to returning to the ice with my teammates and will have no further comments on this matter going forward.”
The Lightning said no further comments from players, coaches, or other members of the organization will be made.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.