Comtois, Clague deny involvement in alleged 2018 sexual assault

Anaheim Ducks forward Maxime Comtois and Buffalo Sabres defenceman Kale Clague released statements Wednesday stating they were not involved in an alleged sexual assault involving members of Canada's 2018 World Junior hockey team. 

"I am aware of the allegations of sexual abuse made against some of my former teammates on the Canadian World Junior Hockey team," Comtois wrote. "The allegations are deeply troubling, and I am cooperating with investigators to help as much as I can. I was not involved in any way with the alleged abuse, and, as far as I know, no one has ever suggested otherwise. Out of respect for the investigation, I do not intend to offer further public comment."

Both players were a part of Canada's gold medal-winning team at the 2018 tournament in Buffalo, with Clague serving as an alternate captain.

"As a member of the 2018 Canadian World Junior hockey team, I feel it is important to state I was not in attendance at the Hockey Canada Gala, nor was I in London, Ontario on the day that the incident is alleged to have occurred," Clague wrote. "Should my help be requested by those investigating this matter, I am fully prepared to cooperate in any way I can. Given the ongoing investigation I will not be providing any further comments at this time."

Several other members of Canada's 2018 World Junior team have also put out statements over the last few days regarding the alleged assault. 

Hockey Canada settled a lawsuit in May after a woman, now 24, claimed she was assaulted by eight CHL hockey players, including members of the World Junior team, at a gala and golf function in London, Ont., in June of 2018.

Last week, Hockey Canada announced that it was reopening its investigation into the alleged assault and the woman involved in the case has said she will cooperate. On Wednesday, London police announced that an internal review into the handling of the force's completed investigation into the 2018 alleged assault will begin "immediately."

Rick Westhead has more on the story here.