The NHL has found no evidence to substantiate allegations of sexual assault by former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ian Cole, a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
On Saturday evening, the league issued a statement indicating it had concluded an investigation into the allegations that originally became public in an anonymous posting to Twitter on Oct. 7.
The posting contained graphic details that alleged Cole had sexually assaulted multiple minors but did not specify a date or location.
Two days after the posting, the Lightning suspended Cole with pay.
In the NHL’s statement, the league indicated it went to great lengths to investigate the allegations.
“The investigation included two separate interviews with Mr. Cole as well as interviews with NHL club personnel and other individuals with potentially relevant information. Further, the investigation included a detailed review of online and social media, public data, and court records and law enforcement checks. In addition, despite attempts by the League to make contact with the anonymous source of the social media post, those efforts were unsuccessful.
“On the basis of the foregoing, the National Hockey League now considers this matter closed.”
The Lightning issued a statement Saturday evening indicating Cole has been “cleared” to rejoin the team. He was a scratch for Saturday’s game against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
Cole issued a statement through the Lightning.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to respond to and refute the anonymous allegations made against me, which I categorically deny. I’m looking forward to returning to the ice with my teammates and will have no further comments on this matter going forward.”
The NHL Players’ Association issued a statement as well suggesting Cole should not have been suspended:
“We are pleased that the situation with Ian Cole is now resolved and that the NHL has closed the matter. However, players should never be subject to suspension or discipline in response to unsubstantiated an anonymous accusations. Removing a player form his team under these circumstances is inappropriate and grossly unfair. We are engaging the (NHL) in discussions on how to address similar situations in the future.”
Cole, now 33, spent parts of four seasons with the Penguins during the 2010s and was a member of the franchise’s Stanley Cup championship teams in 2016 and 2017.
He has also played for the St. Louis Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild and Carolina Hurricanes.
This past offseason, Cole joined the Lightning as a free agent.
