The Tampa Bay Lightning announced on Sunday night that defenseman Ian Cole has been suspended pending an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse made against him on social media, accusing him of abusing a woman when she was a minor.
In their statement, the Lightning acknowledged the allegations against Cole and stated that they are fully cooperating with the NHL in conducting an investigation into the matter.
“Our organization takes these allegations very seriously,” the team stated. “While we continue to gather more details, we have decided to suspend Ian Cole pending the results of an investigation. No members of the organization, including players, will comment further at this time.”
Cole, through his agent Kevin Magnuson, released a statement denying the allegations and expressing his willingness to cooperate with the league, the team, and their legal teams in the investigation.
“I completely deny the allegations made against me today in an anonymous tweet,” Cole said. “I look forward to clearing my name and demonstrating to the NHL and the Tampa Bay Lightning that these allegations are unfounded.”
The allegations surfaced in a statement posted on Twitter by an anonymous user, claiming that Cole had groomed her for four years, beginning when she was a minor in high school, and alleging sexual abuse during that time.
The Lightning did not specify whether the investigation into the allegations against Cole would be led by the team, the league, or law enforcement.
According to a source, Cole’s suspension is considered paid leave.
Cole, 33, was set to enter his 13th NHL season with the Lightning after signing a one-year free-agent deal worth $3 million during the offseason. He was expected to be in the lineup when Tampa Bay opens the regular season on Tuesday against the New York Rangers.
Cole, a Michigan native, began his NHL career with the St. Louis Blues in 2010 and has also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, and Carolina Hurricanes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
