NHL Defenseman Victor Mate says he was not involved in an alleged sexual assault Member of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Hockey Team.
Mette was a member of the Canadian team that won the men’s world gold medal junior hockey Championships in Buffalo, NY in January 2018 He was loaned by the Montreal Canadiens to the national team for the tournament in December 2017.
Hockey Canada quietly settled a lawsuit last month after a now 24-year-old woman claimed she was assaulted by eight hockey players, including members of the national junior team, in June 2018 at a gala and golf festival in London, Ont. Was.
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“I believe it is important for me to point out that when this horrific incident occurred, I was not present at the gala event,” Mette said in a statement posted on Twitter on Thursday. “At the time, I was on vacation with family and friends in Jamaica and recently learned about the situation through media reports.
“I am deeply disturbed by the reports of this incident and if my help is requested by those investigating this matter, I will cooperate in every possible way.”
None of the charges have been proved in court.
Mete played the last two seasons with the Ottawa Senators, who claimed an exemption from the Canadiens during the 2020-21 campaign.
Hockey Canada officials were questioned by legislators on Parliament Hill last week during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage looking into the matter.
The National Sports Organization has lost its government funding and several major sponsors due to its handling of the matter.
Tim Hortons said Wednesday it is “suspending support” for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships this summer as the restaurant chain waits for Hockey Canada to “strengthen and support” after “severely concerning allegations”. certain action”.
Imperial Oil, which is the main sponsor of the Canadian national women’s under-18 hockey club championship under its Esso brand, said on Wednesday it was withdrawing its support from the World Junior Championships while continuing to sponsor youth and women’s events. .
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Scotiabank, Canadian Tire and Telus on Tuesday halted sponsorship of Hockey Canada until the companies are convinced they are taking the right steps to improve the game’s culture.
Hockey equipment maker Bauer, one of Hockey Canada’s main partners, issued a statement on Thursday, saying the allegations are “extremely disturbing” and that the company is closely following the facts of the situation to determine the next steps for their partnership. following from. National Sports Organization.
“We have recently seen disturbing situations, especially for girls, in many communities across Canada,” said Mary-Kay Messier, Bauer Hockey’s vice president of global marketing, in a statement. “Existing systems and policies are failing under-represented families.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 30, 2022.
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