Tampa Bay Lightning’s Ian Cole suspended amid investigation into ‘sexual abuse allegations involving grooming a minor’
A HOCKEY pro has been suspended after a woman alleged that he groomed and sexually abused her when she was a minor.
Ian Cole, an ice hockey defenseman playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning, is awaiting the results of a pending NHL investigation into shocking claims made against him on Twitter.
Anonymous user Emily_Smith3333 posted a message on Twitter Friday, accusing the Michigan native of assaulting her when she was in high school.
On Sunday night, the Lightning announced in a statement that Cole was suspended while they investigate the allegations.
The accuser claims that Cole groomed her for four years.
She also alleged that their first sexual encounter occurred when she was still a minor while Cole had been in the NHL for a few years.
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The accuser claimed that Cole allegedly pressured her into sex "even though I made it very clear I did not want to."
"He would not take no for an answer," the shocking statement claims.
She also claimed that Cole made "derogatory misogynistic comments," and would show her texts from other girls "to manipulate me to be desperate for his approval and less likely to speak out."
Cole allegedly bragged to his teammates about having sex with the victim, years after the first assault, according to the claims.
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"Ian felt emboldened to emotionally and sexually abuse me because the NHL fosters a culture of misogyny," the accuser said.
"The NHL needs to hold themselves and their players accountable for creating an enabling environment of misogynistic and predatory behavior."
The anonymous Twitter user did not provide a clear timeline as to when she says these alleged events took place.
Cole has denied the claims in a statement provided by his agent Kevin Magnuson.
"I take the allegations made against me today in an anonymous tweet very seriously," Cole said according to The Daily Beast.
"I look forward to clearing my name and demonstrating to the NHL and the Tampa Bay Lightning that these allegations are unfounded."
The Lightning also issued a statement responding to the claims, saying: "Our organization takes these allegations very seriously.
"While we continue to gather more details, we have decided to suspend Ian Cole pending the results of an investigation.
"No members of the organization, including players, will comment further at this time."
Ian Cole, 33, was first drafted by the St Louis Blues in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
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He turned pro and signed with the Blues at the end of the 2009-10 season.
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Cole won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2016-17 season.
Cole's agency that represents him did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun's request for comment.
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