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NHL Today: Four Players Named In Sexual Assault Case; Islanders Working During Break

Published

3 months ago

January 31, 2024

Good morning, my name is Andrew Fantucchio. It’s Wednesday, January 31, and here’s what’s going on around the NHL today.

NHL Players Named In Infamous Sexual Assault Case:

First reported by Rick Westhead of TSN, four NHL players have been directed to surrender to police in London, Ontario, to face charges of sexual assault in connection to an alleged incident during a Hockey Canada event in 2018.

The four players–Dillon Dubé of the Calgary Flames, Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers and Cal Foote and Michael McLeod of the New Jersey Devils— all took indefinite leaves of absence from their respective teams and are expected to turn themselves in to the London Police before next week. Once they do, they will be photographed, fingerprinted and instructed not to have contact of any sort with the alleged victim.

Alex Forementon, whose contractual rights belong to the Ottawa Senators, is the fifth player named in the case and turned himself in earlier this week.

None of the allegations against the players have been proven.

The London Police will release more details on the case during a press conference on Monday, Feb. 5.

Barzal Heads To All-Star Game, MacLean Heads To Bridgeport While Islanders Are On Break:

As the NHL pauses for the All-Star break, the New York Islanders are going their separate ways for the next week or so. But for two members of the team, it won’t be much of a break.

Mathew Barzal is heading to Toronto to participate in the All-Star Game and be one of 12 participants in the NHL All-Star Skills Competition.

Rookie center Kyle MacLean is back down in AHL Bridgeport, presumably not as a demotion but to keep skating during the break.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team will get away for a little while to rest and recharge. But given where the Islanders are right now, a break in the season isn’t something they can afford.