NHL Opens Investigation Into Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Hockey Canada, CHL

The NHL has said in a statement that they are investigating a lawsuit involving sexual assault allegations issued against eight hockey players, which includes members of Canada’s World Junior Championship team from 2018. 

The league called the alleged behavior “both abhorrent and reprehensible,” adding that they “will endeavor to determine the underlying facts and, to the extent this may involve players who are now in the NHL, we will determine what action, if any, would be appropriate.”

The lawsuit was first reported by TSN’s Rick Westhead on Thursday. The alleged assault took place in June 2018 in London, Ont. Hockey Canada has reportedly reached a settlement with the person that brought forward the allegations.

The original statement of claim referred to the players as John Does 1-8, saying that they were “players for, and members of the CHL and Hockey Canada, including but not limited to members of the Canada U-20 Men’s Junior Hockey Team.”

In a statement, Hockey Canada said the accused did not speak to the police or Hockey Canada’s independent investigator, and the players were not named.