In a shocking development that has rocked the hockey world, the Ontario Hockey League has found itself embroiled in a scandal involving allegations of sexual assault against eight former players. The OHL has vowed to take these accusations “very seriously” and has pledged to fully cooperate with any police investigation that may follow.
The allegations came to light in a recent CTV report, where a woman claimed that she was sexually assaulted by the players in November 2014. The incident allegedly took place at a house where one of the players, a 19-year-old, was living while playing in the league. The woman, who is now 32, reported the alleged assault to the Ontario Provincial Police earlier this year.
Upon hearing of the allegations, the OHL released a statement expressing their concern and stating that they were only made aware of the situation on Wednesday. The league did not disclose the names of the players involved or the teams they played for, emphasizing that the claims have not yet been tested in court.
“The NHL is deeply troubled by any accusation of this nature,” a league spokesperson told TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger. “We have no information beyond what was in the media report from last night.” The NHL’s stance on the matter reflects the gravity of the situation and the need for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth.
This scandal comes at a time when Hockey Canada is still grappling with sexual assault allegations against players from its 2018 and 2003 national junior teams. The hockey community as a whole is reeling from these disturbing revelations, and there is a growing call for action to address the pervasive issue of sexual misconduct in the sport.
As the investigation into the allegations progresses, the hockey world waits anxiously for justice to be served and for measures to be put in place to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. The safety and well-being of players, both on and off the ice, must be prioritized to ensure that hockey remains a safe and respectful environment for all involved.