30-01-24, 03:35
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Re: Hockey Canada GROUP Sexual Assault Scandal: First Player Turns Himself In
Hockey Canada Scandal: First Player, Alex Formenton Turns Himself In Amid 2018 GROUP Sexual Assault Investigation
A former National Hockey League player has been charged in Canada with sexual assault, his lawyer has confirmed, the latest development in a case that has brought turmoil to the sport’s Canadian governing body and angered many people
CTV 30 JAN 2024
Alex Formenton, a former Ottawa Senators player, at a National Hockey League game in Philadelphia in 2022.
Ex-NHL player Alex Formenton turned himself in to London, Ontario, police Sunday in connection with an investigation into an alleged sexual assault on a woman by several members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior team that occurred more than five years ago.
Formenton’s legal team told The Associated Press that London Police have charged their client and several other players, but did not reveal what charge Formenton was facing.
“Alex will vigorously defend his innocence and asks that people not rush to judgment without hearing all of the evidence,” Formenton’s attorney Daniel Brown said in a statement.
Last week, Formenton and four NHL players from Team Canada’s 2018 World Junior roster were placed on leave, including Devils players Michael McLeod and Cal Foote (no reasons specified), Flames forward Dillon Dubé (mental health reasons) and Flyers goalie Carter Hart (no reasons specified).
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday evening, TSN investigative reporter Rick Westhead said that “Several criminal lawyers who specialize in sexual assault cases have told me over the past days they expected former 2018 World Juniors players facing prosecution for an alleged sex assault in London, Ont., might face charges of gang sexual assault and forceable confinement.”
Brown also declined to specify charges when speaking with Westhead, but he said his client has not been charged with gang sexual assault or forceable confinement.
“If Formenton has been charged with common sexual assault, he faces a maximum 10 years in prison if he’s found guilty,” Westhead added. “People convicted of gang sexual assault face a maximum of 14 years. (Toronto lawyer Alison Craig told me it’s not uncommon for sexual assault charges to be upgraded after they are laid.)”
London Police scheduled a news conference for Feb. 5 to address the situation but have declined to comment further.
The 24-year-old Formenton played for the Ottawa Senators from the 2017-18 season through 2021-22. His contract was not renewed, which forced him to play in Switzerland.
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