Carter Hart, the goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers, was charged with sexual assault, his lawyer announced on Tuesday.
According to TSN Canada, Hart is one of four NHL players who have been told to turn themselves in to London, Ontario police as part of the 2018 Hockey Canada investigation into sexual assault.
“We represent Carter Hart, and we can confirm that he is facing a single charge of sexual assault. He is innocent, and in the appropriate forum—a court of law—he will respond fully to this untrue accusation. We won’t comment till then,” Hart’s representative, Savard Foy, commented on X.
In 2022, police in London, Ontario, opened an inquiry after learning that Hockey Canada had reached a settlement with a woman who claimed that eight members of that team had sexually abused her during a gala.
In an announcement made last week, London Police said they will provide more information “in relation to a sexual assault investigation dating back to 2018” at a press conference on February 5. According to The Globe and Mail, the five athletes were requested to turn themselves in to the city’s police in order to be charged. The city is located midway between Toronto and Detroit.
The Flyers, according to general manager Danny Briere, were aware of the reports regarding the 2018 Hockey World Cup last week.
“The press reports from this morning regarding a very severe subject are known to us. When the investigation’s findings are made public, we will react suitably,” Briere stated. “The NHL has made it very apparent that teams have to direct any inquiries about investigations to them. Members of the organization, including the Flyers players, will refrain from making any more comments in the interim.”
Last Friday, Briere claimed that he had no idea when Hart would be contacted again or what would happen next.
In Hart’s absence, Briere noted, the Flyers will rely on goalies Samuel Ersson and Cal Petersen.
Hart, 25, was having one of his poorest starts to his excellent season before to his absence. Before being removed from the game against the Colorado Avalanche, he gave up five goals on fifteen shots.
This season, Hart has participated in 26 games for the Flyers, making 25 starts. In his sixth NHL season, which is the last of a three-year contract worth $11.9 million, he is 12-9-3.
Within: Sexual Assault Canada’s Philadelphia Flyers
was published at 6:44 PM EST on January 30, 2024.
