The Tampa Bay Lightning suspended defenseman Ian Cole on Sunday night pending an investigation into allegations made on social media that he sexually abused a woman when she was a minor.
In a statement, the Lightning said they are aware of the allegations against Cole and are cooperating fully with the NHL on an investigation.
The allegations against Cole were made in a statement posted to Twitter on Friday by an anonymous user. The person wrote that Cole groomed her for four years “starting when I was a minor in high school” and noted that Cole was “well aware of my age” at the time of the alleged sexual abuse.
The 33 year old Cole is entering his 13th season in the NHL. He signed a one-year free agent deal worth $3 million with the Lightning during the offseason and was expected to be in their lineup when Tampa Bay opens the regular season on Tuesday at the New York Rangers.
Cole made his NHL debut with St. Louis in 2010 and played five seasons for the Blues before being traded to Pittsburgh. He has also played for Columbus, Colorado, Minnesota and Carolina.
The Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole. Photo courtsey of CNN
