NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL announced that the New York Rangers informed the league last year about their investigation into sexual assault allegations made by a team employee against player Artemi Panarin. This statement came after a report released on Thursday revealed details surrounding these allegations and the subsequent settlement payments made to the alleged victim.
The NHL, in a statement, confirmed that the Rangers had engaged an external law firm to conduct an independent investigation into the matter, which the league was kept informed about. "We consider the matter closed," the NHL concluded, indicating that they were satisfied with the investigation's outcome.
The Athletic reported that Artemi Panarin, alongside Madison Square Garden Sports—owner of the Rangers—had financially settled with a former employee last year after she accused Panarin of sexually assaulting her.
A spokesperson for Madison Square Garden stated via email, “The matter has been resolved.” This reinforces the notion that the internal investigation and subsequent actions taken by the team essentially absolve them from further scrutiny regarding the allegations.
Peters Laviolette, the Rangers’ head coach, referred to the statement made by MSG when pressed by reporters about the situation during the Rangers' morning practice before their season finale. His response indicates that the organization is now looking to focus on hockey matters rather than the controversy surrounding Panarin.
After the Rangers' decisive 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night, Panarin was approached by media regarding the allegations. In a rather evasive response, he remarked, "I’ll just talk about hockey," suggesting he preferred to keep the conversation strictly within the realm of sports.
Artemi Panarin, who is 33 years old and hails from Russia, has consistently been a standout player for the New York Rangers. He finished the season as the team's leading scorer and is completing his sixth season under a lucrative seven-year contract worth $81.5 million, which was signed in 2019. The investigation and subsequent settlement might have been a cloud over his performance, but his on-ice contributions continue to garner attention as he remains a key figure in the Rangers' lineup.
This incident highlights the ongoing issues related to workplace conduct in professional sports and the complexities that organizations face when addressing allegations of misconduct. The NFL's closing of the matter suggests an effort to put the issue behind them as they look forward to the upcoming seasons while balancing the importance of addressing such serious allegations properly.
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