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Agent: Gadjovich “Not Involved” in 2018 World Juniors Sexual Assault Scandal

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Credit: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

Jonah Gadjovich was not involved in the 2018 World Juniors sexual assault scandal, according to his agent.

Jason Harshaw of Driven Sports Group issued this statement to San Jose Hockey Now: “The events described in the story are serious and reprehensible. Jonah was not involved in the incident and does not have any comment on legal proceedings and the settlement involving other parties.”

Yesterday, Rick Westhead of TSN reported that a woman who alleged that she was sexually assaulted by eight CHL players, including members of Canada’s 2018 World Juniors team, had dropped her lawsuit and reached a settlement with Hockey Canada and the CHL.

This sexual assault is alleged to have taken place while the woman was intoxicated in a London, Ontario hotel room, following a Hockey Canada Foundation gala and golf event feting the 2018 World Juniors champions in Jun. 2018.

Jonah Gadjovich, then a 2017 Vancouver Canucks’ draft pick, and now with the San Jose Sharks, was a member of that Team Canada World Juniors side, along with fellow NHL’ers Cale Makar, Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, Carter Hart, and others.

“The plaintiff has been required to undergo medical treatment and psychological counselling and will continue to require same indefinitely throughout her lifetime,” the victim’s lawsuit stated.

The lawsuit also pointed a finger at Hockey Canada, claiming the organization has “ignored or failed to reasonably address institutionalized and systemic abuse” and “had knowledge that over the last number of years, its players were subjected to sexual assault and also encouraged to sexually assault others.”

“Hockey Canada is deeply troubled by the very serious allegations of sexual assault regarding members of the 2017-18 National Junior Hockey Team,” Hockey Canada spokeswoman Esther Madziya told TSN. “As soon as Hockey Canada became aware of this matter in 2018, we contacted local police authorities to inform them. The same day, we also retained Henein Hutchison LLP, a firm with extensive experience in this area, to undertake a thorough independent internal investigation and make recommendations on areas for improvement which we have been implementing and will continue to pursue.

“The person bringing the allegations forward chose not to speak with either police or with Hockey Canada’s independent investigator and also chose not to identify the players involved. This was her right, and we fully respect her wishes. We have settled this matter and as part of that settlement, we will not be commenting further.”

The NHL issued this statement yesterday: “Two days ago, the National Hockey League was advised of a lawsuit involving sexual allegations filed against eight unnamed members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior hockey team. We were subsequently provided with the Statement of Claim, containing allegations of behavior that is both abhorrent and reprehensible.

“We will endeavor to determine the underlying facts and, to the extent this may involve players who are now in the NHL, we will determine what action, if any, would be appropriate. We will have no further comment at this time.”

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