Defenseman Ian Cole has been suspended by the Tampa Bay Lightning after being the target of “grooming” and sexual abuse allegations on the social network Twitter.
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“The Tampa Bay Lightning are aware of the allegations against Ian Cole and are fully cooperating with the National Hockey League (NHL) in its investigation,” the team wrote in a statement. Our organization takes these allegations very seriously. As we continue to gather information, we have decided to suspend Ian Cole pending the results of the investigation. No member of our organization, including the players, will comment further.”
Earlier in the day, NHL Assistant Commissioner Bill Daly told sports site The Athletic that his league was “aware of the allegations” and was looking into them. ESPN has confirmed that Cole and the Lightning’s agents are aware of the allegations.
Before discussing the details of these, it is important to specify that they come from an anonymous account which includes only one publication, that is to say a long press release where gestures are reproached to the skater of the NHL.
“It’s taken me years to work up the courage to talk about it and I’ve decided to do so anonymously, because unfortunately I feel it’s the only way for me to be completely transparent by avoiding harassment and reprisals, ”wrote the alleged victim in his long missive.
“I was ‘groomed’ by Ian Cole for four years, when I was underage and in high school. My first sex with Ian was when I was underage and in high school. He had been playing in the NHL for several years at that time. He was aware of my age and that I was a teenager.
The woman also alleges that Cole repeatedly breached her consent and allegedly did the same with other students at her school. She also accuses the NHL of allowing its athletes to engage in such behavior.
“Ian gave himself the right to emotionally and sexually abuse me and other women because the NHL fosters a culture of misogyny. The NHL must hold itself and its players accountable for creating an environment conducive to misogynistic and predatory behavior.”
Cole is playing his 13th season on the Bettman League in 2022-23, having signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Lightning last July. He previously played for the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild and Carolina Hurricanes.