THE CANADIAN PRESS
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. — Three members of the Ontario Hockey League’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds have been charged with sexual assault.
Nick Cousins of Belleville, Ont., Andrew Fritsch of Brantford, Ont. and American Mark Petaccio were charged by Sault Ste. Marie police on Saturday, the same day police allege the assault occurred.
The alleged victim is described only as being female — police did not release any further details.
The Philadelphia Flyers drafted Cousins, 19, with the 68th pick in the 2011 NHL draft, while the Phoenix Coyotes took Fritsch, also 19, 155th overall. Petaccio, 18, has no NHL affiliation.
The Greyhounds issued a statement late Saturday acknowledging the charges, adding that they will support their players and the police efforts as the legal process unfolds.
"Over the course of time that each of these players has been part of our program we have seen each of them make excellent strides both on and off the ice," the team said in a statement. "The strides made over each young man’s tenure here are what makes today’s situation so surprising."
Petaccio is due in court on Monday, while Cousins and Fritsch are scheduled to appear on Oct. 1.
