Anxiety rises in Ottawa as Sens could lose two top players over sexual assault allegations

In May, news broke that Hockey Canada quietly settled a lawsuit filed by a woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by eight unnamed players, including several members of the country’s 2018 world junior team, following a gala in London, Ontario.

As you know, many players have made statements that they weren’t involved. St. Louis Blues forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou released separate statements on social media Tuesday saying they had no involvement in the alleged incident. The agency representing Carter Hart, Jake Bean, Kale Clague, Colton Point, and Taylor Raddysh also released a statement denying any involvement in the incident on behalf of the players. Late on Tuesday, NHL player agent Gerry Johannson posted a statement regarding his client Sam Steel and the 2018 World Junior team investigations/allegations. Four other players from that Canadian championship team — Cale Makar, Victor Mete, Conor Timmins and Jonah Gadjovich — have also publicly stated they weren’t involved in previous statements.

This is all very good for them that they are not involved yet willing to cooperate in the investigation however, some players remain quiet and it has fans getting worried. The following members of the team have declined to comment on the investigation when we put the information together on Wednesday. They were: Alex Formenton, Max Comtois, Tyler Steenburgen, Drake Batherson, Michael McLeod, Boris Katchouk and Brett Howden.

On Wednesday, Batherson and Formenton started trending because they keep quiet. Many are starting to wonder how the Ottawa Senators are feeling and what they’d have to do if Batherson and Formenton. What some fans do not understand if that the agent for Batherson and Formenton is the same of the one who handles Conor Timmins, who already came out with the statement.

So why no statement for Batherson and Formenton?

A lot of fans are reacting to this, even suggesting the Senators should find a solution to replace them as they believe the players should not be allowed back if proven to be involved.

We are not saying Batherson and Formenton are involved in the ongoing Hockey Canada sexual assault allegations. On Tuesday, lawyers for Hockey Canada released text messages and videos to The Globe and Mail which seem to contradict, but nevertheless shed more light onto what exactly happened that evening. First, the Globe acquired videos which showed the alleged victim stating that the acts that evening were consensual. It should be noted that these statements could be made under duress.

The alleged victim and her mother later went to police : in her statement, the woman claims alleges “she felt an imminent fear of physical harm and at times was crying and tried to leave the room” but was “directed, manipulated and intimidated into remaining, after which she was subjected to further sexual assaults.”

Everyone is hoping to get to the truth, and we know it is more than just the Senators’ fanbase.