Victor Mete issues statement denying involvement in alleged sexual assault at 2018 Hockey Canada event
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Ottawa Senators defenseman Victor Mete, who played for Team Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, released a statement Thursday denying his involvement in an alleged sexual assault after a Hockey Canada event in June 2018.
Mete, 24, said he was on vacation in Jamaica at the time and pledged to « cooperate in any way » with an investigation. The victim of the alleged assault filed a complaint in April; in recent weeks, Hockey Canada has lost most of its major sponsors and seen its federal funding frozen.
« I believe it is important for me to state that I was not present at the gala event celebration when this appalling event occurred, » Mete said on Thursday. « At the time, I was vacationing with my family and friends in Jamaica and only recently learned of the situation through media reports.
« I am deeply troubled by reports of this incident and if my assistance is requested by those investigating this matter, I will cooperate fully in any way possible. »
In the lawsuit, the unidentified woman alleged that eight players from the 2018 World Juniors Canadian team assaulted her at a Hockey Canada event in London, Ont. The eight players have also not been identified.
Mete played the 2017-18 National Hockey League season with the Montreal Canadiens and was released in December to compete in the World Junior Championship with Team Canada.
He started the next three seasons with the Canadiens before joining the Senators without waivers in 2021.
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