NHL interviews Lightning’s Ian Cole in investigation

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole was interviewed on the NHL workplace in New York for roughly an hour on Wednesday afternoon as a part of the league’s investigation into sexual misconduct allegations in opposition to him, sources advised ESPN.

On the time of the interview, the one who posted a prolonged assertion on Twitter saying Cole sexually abused and groomed her as a minor had not come ahead — and the league is unable to determine the creator of the account with out subpoenaing Twitter or acquiring a courtroom order, sources mentioned.

Cole, who signed with the Lightning as a free agent this offseason, has been suspended by the crew with pay “pending the outcomes of an investigation” and missed the crew’s season opener on Tuesday. Cole has denied the allegations and mentioned in an announcement that he appears to be like ahead to clearing his identify.

It’s unclear what the following steps shall be. Tampa Bay’s subsequent sport is Friday in Columbus.

If Cole stays out of the lineup for an prolonged interval with out the league discovering proof to corroborate the allegations, the NHL Gamers’ Affiliation would file a grievance, sources mentioned.

The interview with Cole was performed by Jared Maples, the NHL’s chief of safety. Maples beforehand served because the director of the New Jersey Workplace of Homeland Safety and Preparedness.

Cole, 33, is coming into his thirteenth season within the league. The allegations in opposition to Cole have been made on Friday by a Twitter consumer who referred to as herself Emily Smith. In a publish, Smith wrote that Cole sexually abused and groomed her for 4 years, starting when she was in highschool.

“It has taken me years to seek out the braveness to return ahead and I’ve determined to talk out anonymously as a result of sadly I really feel that that is the one approach I may be totally clear with out harassment and retaliation,” she wrote.