Kale Clague provides alibi in statement regarding Hockey Canada sex scandal

Earlier on Wednesday, Brett Howden, a member of the St. Louis Blues who was a part of the 2018 Team Canada World Junior team, has denied involvement in the alleged sexual assault that featured eight members of the country’s 2018 world junior team, following a gala in London, Ontario.

Later that same day it was Kale Clague’s turn to explain how he did not attend the gala and was not even in London at the time the alleged incident took place. While his agent has previously commented that Clague was not involved, this is the statement he provided and published on social media:

As you know, many other 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.

In May, news broke that Hockey Canada quietly settled a lawsuit filed by a woman who made the allegations.

This is getting to be investigated by the fanbase itself who is keeping a toll on how many players have commented on the situation.

More details have emerged lately, especially with new details emerging as the investigation is building a case against the alleged victim. 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.”

Some players 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. Now, that doesn’t mean that these players have been implicated in anything, it’s simply matter of fact.

Clague signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Buffalo Sabres last week after he was not qualified by the Montreal Canadiens. He had 10 points in 36 contests between the Kings and the Canadiens last year, and he could contend for a roster spot with the Sabres in training camp.