Tampa Bay Lightning's Ian Cole has been suspended Sunday night after an investigation has opened due to allegations of sexual assault on a minor.
On Friday night, an anonymous tweet was posted claiming that when she was in high school, she had been groomed and manipulated by Cole for four years.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have released a statement saying they will cooperate completely with the NHL in the investigation, "Our organization takes these allegations very seriously."
The former Pittsburgh Penguin defenseman has completely denied the allegations, saying he will cooperate with both the NHL and Lightning on the investigation.
My statement on being groomed and sexually abused by Tampa Bay Lightning and NHL player Ian Cole. @TBLightning @NHL #tampabaylightning #Canes #NHL #IanCole pic.twitter.com/IJ438bhodt
— Emily Smith (@emily_smith3333) October 7, 2022
Through his agent, Kevin Magnuson, "I take the allegations made against me today in an anonymous tweet very seriously,'' Cole said. "I look forward to clearing my name and demonstrating to the NHL and the Tampa Bay Lightning that these allegations are unfounded.''
It's not known where or when the allegations occurred, other than "He had been playing in the NHL for a few years at that point."
Cole is currently in his 13th NHL season after the Lightning brought him back on a one-year $3 million deal.
