Tampa Bay Lightning suspend Ian Cole pending sexual abuse investigation.

 

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced on Sunday night that defenseman Ian Cole had been suspended following a social media accusation made by a woman that she had been sexually abused by him when she was a minor.

The Lightning, who won the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021 before losing in the championship game the previous year, take on the Rangers in their opening game of the 2022–2023 season on Tuesday in New York.

“The Tampa Bay Lightning is fully assisting the NHL in their investigation and is aware of the accusations made against player Ian Cole. The team released a statement saying, “Our organization takes these allegations very seriously.”

“We have chosen to suspend Ian Cole, with pay, while we look into this further and wait for the findings of our investigation. Players and other organization members will not be commenting further at this time.

The 33-year-old Michigan native Cole refuted the accusation and promised to assist the authorities.

“I take seriously the accusations made against me in today’s anonymous tweet. In a statement, Cole stated, “I vehemently refute these accusations and pledge to work with the NHL, the Tampa Bay Lightning, their officials, and legal departments in the next investigation.

“I am eager to prove to the NHL and the Tampa Bay Lightning that these accusations are baseless and to cleanse my name. I won’t say anything more until the NHL’s inquiry is over.”

Cole’s ban is the most recent example of an off-ice event that has led hockey leaders and organizations to reevaluate how they have been managing sexual abuse in the sport at almost all levels.

Hockey Canada stated over the weekend that Andrea Skinner, the interim chair, had resigned as the governing board looked into many complaints of sexual assault made by the national world junior team.