St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas, a member of the Canadian World Junior team at the centre of Hockey Canada's reopened investigation into an alleged 2018 sexual assault, issued a statement on Tuesday saying he "had no involvement in" nor did he witness the incident that is said to have taken place.
The sexual assault allegations came to light in May after Hockey Canada settled a lawsuit with a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by eight CHL players, including members of the 2018 world junior team, in London, Ont. in June 2018.
"I am aware of the allegations made against some of the members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior hockey team in London, Ontario in June of 2018," Thomas wrote in his statement. "I had no involvement in, nor did I witness the alleged incident. I look forward to cooperating with the NHL investigation as well as any other investigation if appropriate and as required."
The statement from Thomas did not note whether or not he had any knowledge of the alleged incident prior to it becoming public.
Thomas is the second player from the 2018 team to issue a statement this week. Arizona Coyotes defenceman Conor Timmins commented through his agency, Quartexx Hockey, on social media on Monday.
"I was not involved in any way in the incident that gave rise to the allegations that have been reported," the statement from Timmins said. "No one alleges that I was present or involved and I have no personal knowledge of what occurred. I cooperated fully with the initial Hockey Canada investigation and will continue to cooperate in any other investigations as required."
The statements from Timmins and Thomas marked the third and fourth personal statements, respectively, released by a member of the World Junior team after Victor Mete — who is also represented by Quartexx — released his own statement on Twitter last month saying he was vacationing with his family and out of the country at the time of the alleged incident. (Mete's agent, Darren Ferris, had previously told Hockey Unfiltered's Ken Campbell Mete had been out of the country at the time.)
In May, the agent for Sharks forward Jonah Gadjovich told San Jose Hockey Now via a statement that his client was “not involved in the incident.” Cale Makar, asked about the allegations during a media availability ahead of the Stanley Cup Final, told reporters he had no involvement and that he was interviewed by Hockey Canada’s investigators. (Makar also said he has been contacted by the NHL regarding the league’s own investigation and will “be very cooperative.”) Agents for Cal Foote and Dante Fabbro also issued statements to Campbell saying their clients were not involved.
On Thursday, Hockey Canada announced it was reopening its investigation. The lawyer for the woman who filed the lawsuit against Hockey Canada, the CHL, and the eight unnamed players told Sportsnet his client will participate in the reopened inquiry. Hockey Canada settled the lawsuit, which was filed in London on April 20, in May. The case has not been heard in a court of law.
