Cale Makar publicly addresses the Hockey Canada gang rape allegations

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is focused on the Stanley Cup finals, but also wanted to address the 2018 sexual assault allegations against Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League, and eight of its players.

That’s because his name came up many times when details were being shared in the news and on social media. On Tuesday, he told reporters that he has been contacted by the NHL as part of the league’s investigation. He stated publicly that he was not part of the group of eight players against whom the allegations were launched, and said he doesn’t know much about the alleged events.

“I don’t know how much I’m able to talk about it, because I think it’s an ongoing investigation, but I did receive an email and obviously I’ll be very cooperative in the investigation,” Makar said during a media availability on Tuesday. “Whatever they need from me, I’ll be very cooperative.”

The facts are that Makar was indeed part of the 2017-18 Canadian world junior team that is cited in a civil lawsuit filed in April. In it, a woman alleged she was sexually assaulted by eight Canadian Hockey League players, including members of Canada’s gold medal-winning 2017-18 World Junior team. The claimed she was assaulted by players for hours while intoxicated in a hotel room following a Hockey Canada Foundation gala and golf event in the city in June of 2018. The players were not identified in court documents and the allegations were never proven. Last month, she agreed to drop a lawsuit against the players, Hockey Canada, and the CHL after reaching a settlement. Following news of the Hockey Canada settlement, the NHL released a statement declaring its intent to conduct its own investigation into the matter.

And Makar is being cooperative.