Cody Ceci responds to massive 8.6 million dollar lawsuit.

It is a new chapter in the National Hockey League career of one Cody Ceci, but unfortunately for the veteran defenseman a great deal of his attention this summer has been focused off of the ice instead of on his on-ice preparation for the upcoming 2019 - 2020 NHL regular season.

That is because Ceci is facing a shocking lawsuit in which the alleged victim is suing him for a staggering 8.6 million dollars following an incident at his home early this year. The alleged victim in this case, Hana Engel, was a guest at Ceci's home when Ceci's partner Jamie Thompson threw a flaming bottle of Ethanol at her, causing severe burns on Engel's body and resulting in considerable pain. 

Now I must admit that I do not know the full details of this case, and in fact no one except the attorney's on either side are likely familiar with those details in their entirety, but when this was first reported is certainly painted Thompson in a very negative light. For what it's worth both Ceci and Thompson deny any wrongdoing in this incident and this week the two filed a statement of defense in which they proclaim their innocence. In fact it could be argued that the point the finger of blame at Engel herself. 

From the Canadian Press:

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Cody Ceci and his partner Jamie Thompson have filed a statement of defence against an $8.6-million lawsuit by a woman who was badly burned in an incident at Ceci’s home last year.

In a document filed Tuesday with the Superior Court of Justice in Ottawa, Ceci and Thompson deny any negligence after Hana Engel suffered serious burns in an accident with an outdoor tabletop fireplace during a May 9, 2018 party at Ceci’s house in Stittsville, Ont. Ceci played for the Ottawa Senators at the time.

It is clear based on the sheer amount of money that Engel is suing for here that she means business. Engel claims that both Ceci and Thompson were intoxicated at the time of the incident and could not properly appreciate the danger they put her in as a result of that intoxication. While it may seem like a money grab to some, I must admit that if I was left permanently disfigured due to someone else's negligence, I would likely want some measure of compensation, or even revenge, as well.

More to come on this story as the court case proceeds.