Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole ESPN sources said that he was interviewed by the NHL in New York for about an hour Wednesday afternoon, as part of the league’s investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct against his.
Sources claimed that Cole had not yet come forward to the league, despite a lengthy statement posted on Twitter by the author claiming that Cole sexually abused her and groomed him as a minor.
Cole signed with the Lightning as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. The team suspended him with pay “pending the findings of an investigation”. He was unable to attend the Lightning’s season opener Tuesday. Cole denies the allegations and says he is looking forward to clearing his name.
It is unknown what the next steps are. The next Tampa Bay game will be Friday in Columbus.
Sources said that if Cole is not in the lineup for a prolonged period, the NHL Players’Association would file a grievance.
Jared Maples was the NHL’s chief for security and conducted the interview. Maples was previously the director of New Jersey’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
Cole, 33 years old, is entering his 13th year in the league. On Friday, a Twitter user calling herself Emily Smith made allegations against Cole. Smith posted that Cole had sexually abused her and groomed for her over four years starting in high school.
“It’s taken me years of courage to come out and I have decided not to reveal my identity because, sadly, this is the only way that I can be transparent without being harassed or retaliated against,” she wrote.