Arizona Coyotes defenceman Conor Timmins issued a statement Monday morning saying he is “aware of the allegations made against some of the members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior team” but that he “was not involved in any way.”
The statement was released via his agency, Quartexx Hockey, on social media.
“No one alleges that I was present or involved and I have no personal knowledge of what occurred,” Timmins said of the allegations, which 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. Timmins said he cooperated fully with the third-party investigation initiated by Hockey Canada after it first learned of the matter, and pledged to “continue to cooperate in any other investigations as required.”
Timmins’ comments mark the second personal statement 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.
Support for survivors
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence and is in need of support, those in Canada can find province-specific centres, crisis lines and services here. For readers in America, a list of resources and references can be found here.
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