Former NHL player Alex Formenton turned himself in to police Sunday as part of an investigation into an alleged sexual assault committed by several members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Championship team.
Alex Formenton’s legal team confirmed to the Associated Press that police in London, Ontario, have charged Formenton and several other players. Attorney Daniel Brown did not say what the charges were against Formenton.
“Alex will vigorously defend his innocence and asks people not to rush to judgment without hearing all the evidence,” Brown said in an emailed statement to the AP.
Five players from the 2018 team took time off from their current clubs over the past week, including Formenton, a former Ottawa Senators player who is now in Europe. His Swiss team, HC Ambri-Piotta, said he was granted indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons and was allowed to return home to Canada.
NHL players Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers and Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames have also taken time off in recent days.
London police have scheduled a news conference on Feb. 5 to address the situation and have declined to make further comment. Reached Sunday, a spokesperson said police “will provide any updates at our press conference.” »
Formenton, 24, played 109 games for the Ottawa Senators, from the 2017-18 season through 2021-22, before his contract was not renewed and he went overseas.