Former NHL player Alex Formenton turned himself in to the police on Sunday, revealing his connection to an investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving several members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team.
Formenton and several other players have been charged by the London, Ontario police, according to confirmation from his legal team, led by lawyer Daniel Brown. The specific charge against Formenton has not been disclosed.
In a statement sent via email to The Associated Press, Brown stated, “Alex will vigorously defend his innocence and asks that people not rush to judgment without hearing all of the evidence.”
The unfolding situation has prompted five players from the 2018 team to take a leave of absence from their current clubs in the past week, including Formenton. The former Ottawa Senators player, now with the Swiss team HC Ambri-Piotta, was granted an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons and permitted to return to Canada.
London Police have scheduled a news conference for Feb. 5 to address the case and have refrained from providing additional comments, stating that updates will be given during the press conference.
Formenton, aged 24, played 109 games for the Senators from the 2017-18 season through 2021-22 before his contract was not renewed, leading him to pursue his career overseas.