MOSCOW, Oct 10 Tampa Bay Lightning suspend defenseman Ian Cole , who was accused of sexual harassment, Sportsnet reports, citing a statement from the National Hockey League (NHL) club. Earlier, Twitter user Emily_Smith3333 accused Cole of harassment that occurred when she was in high school. Cole was playing in the NHL during this time. The hockey player will be suspended from work with the team until the results of the investigation conducted by the league are received. The club noted that they are fully cooperating with the NHL. «Our organization takes these allegations very seriously,» the statement said. Cole himself, through his agent, issued a statement denying the allegations.
"I am very serious I relate to the accusations leveled against me. I look forward to clearing my name and demonstrating to the NHL and the Tampa Bay Lightning that these allegations are unfounded,» the statement said.
Cole is 33 years old. He joined Tampa Bay in the summer of 2022 as a free agent.