The Tampa Bay Lightning suspended defenseman Ian Cole pending an investigation into allegations made on social media that he sexually abused a girl when she was a minor.
The Lightning stated Sunday evening they have been absolutely cooperating with the NHL on an investigation and have been making the choice to droop Cole till they collect extra particulars. It is the most recent off-ice scandal to rock hockey and convey the game's tradition into query.
"Our group takes these allegations very critically," the staff stated in a press release. "No members of the group, together with gamers, will remark additional presently."
Cole, in a press release despatched by agent Kevin Magnuson, stated he utterly denies the allegations and can cooperate with the league, staff and their authorized departments within the forthcoming investigation.
"I take the allegations made towards me in the present day in an nameless tweet very critically," Cole stated. "I look ahead to clearing my title and demonstrating to the NHL and the Tampa Bay Lightning that these allegations are unfounded."
Deputy Commissioner Invoice Daly instructed The Related Press earlier Sunday the league had launched an investigation. Daly added the league had no prior data of the allegations till they have been posted on social media.
Cole's agent didn't instantly reply to a number of messages looking for remark.
Among the many allegations posted anonymously to Twitter on Friday by an account created final month, the individual stated Cole pressured her into having intercourse a number of occasions when she was a minor after he had reached the NHL.
Within the posting, the individual accused Cole of emotional and sexual abuse, and stated the NHL should maintain itself and its gamers accountable for creating an surroundings of misogynistic and predatory habits.
The 33-year-old Cole made his NHL debut with St. Louis in 2010 and performed 5 seasons for the Blues earlier than being traded to Pittsburgh. It was not clear the place he was taking part in when the individual stated Cole sexually abused and groomed her.
Cole, a Michigan native, has performed 780 regular-season and playoff video games with St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Colorado, Minnesota and Carolina. He signed a $3 million, one-year contract with Tampa Bay in July.
The investigation of Cole comes because the NHL is within the midst of reviewing allegations made by lady who stated she was sexually assaulted by eight members of the Canada's world junior staff at a gala in 2018. Information surfaced earlier this 12 months Hockey Canada settled a lawsuit with the girl. A number of gamers from that staff at the moment play within the NHL.
Speaking concerning the Hockey Canada state of affairs, Commissioner Gary Bettman in July stated he didn't suppose hockey has a tradition drawback.
"I feel there are issues which might be skilled in all sports activities and all through society which might be unacceptable and I do not suppose we're any totally different in that regard than anyone else and I actually do not suppose that is a problem on the NHL stage," Bettman stated on the time. "I can not communicate essentially to the opposite ranges of hockey. To not counsel it makes it OK, however there have been extensively reported different incidents in different sports activities and conduct that is unacceptable. I wish to maintain our sport to a better commonplace."