The NHL has closed its independent investigation in regards to sexual assault allegations made against Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane this past summer.
The league released the following statement:
The National Hockey League announced today that it has completed its independent review of the Patrick Kane matter, the final stage of which included an in-person meeting between Kane and Commissioner Gary Bettman in New York on Monday, March 7.
Based on its review, including the determination made by the Erie County District Attorney not to pursue charges, the NHL has concluded that the allegations made against Kane were unfounded. The League considers the matter closed and will have no further comment.
The league announced it would conduct a review in November after it was determined that Kane would not be charged with sexual assault.
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One Philadelphia Flyers fan has taken Shayne Gostisbehere's nickname to a whole new level.
Instead of filling out the nameplate with, well, his name, this fan requested the ghost and bear emojis now commonly used to refer to the rookie defenseman.
(Courtesy: r/flyers)
Thumbs way up for this creation.
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The San Jose Sharks have signed winger Kevin Labanc to a standard, entry-level contract, general manager Doug Wilson announced Wednesday.
Labanc, 20, leads the Ontario Hockey League with 119 points (38 goals, 81 assists) through 59 games with the Barrie Colts this season.
"Kevin has become one of the premier point producers in the OHL and has elevated his game to new heights this season," Wilson said. "His smart, crafty play with the puck has made him a dangerous offensive player, but with the help of Barrie's head coach Dale Hawerchuk, his game has improved physically and in the defensive end as well.
"We're excited to see his continued development with our organization."
Labanc was selected in the sixth round of the 2014 NHL Draft, 171st overall.
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Tuomo Ruutu's wallet is a little lighter this morning.
The New Jersey Devils forward has been fined $5,000 for slew-footing Pittsburgh's Matt Cullen, the NHL announced.
The incident occurred on March 6, and Ruutu was assessed a minor penalty for tripping at the time.
The $5,000 is the maximum allowed under the current collective bargaining agreement.
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TORONTO - Like many people in life, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nikita Soshnikov was faced with a choice. Little did he know how significant one small, simple decision he'd make as a child would end up being.
"I was five or six years old. I was finishing kindergarten and my father asked me if I want to take part in sports," Soshnikov said, as translated by theScore. "My choice was either boxing or hockey."
Boxing may seem like an odd alternative, but it's fairly common where Soshnikov grew up. Soshnikov's hometown, Nizhny Tagil, is one of Russia's industrial epicenters. Unfortunately, it's also known for high crime. Eight prisons surround the city.
For many in Nizhny Tagil, boxing may have been the wiser choice, merely for its self-defense benefits. But Soshnikov wasn't interested.
"Right away I liked to play," Soshnikov said. "I never had a thought to stop playing hockey and it started to improve. At age 14, I went to Moscow to go play."
Soshnikov played his junior hockey in Moscow before being drafted into the KHL by Atlant Moscow Oblast. He quickly impressed with his speed and his ability to get to the net.
In 2014-15, it was becoming clear that Soshnikov's career was headed for new heights.
The Maple Leafs were in the driver's seat to land Soshnikov thanks to the hiring of Evgeny Namestnikov as a Russian scout. Namestnikov, a former NHLer and father of current Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vladislav Namestnikov, had hands-on experience with Soshnikov - he'd served as Atlant Moscow's assistant coach.
Once Toronto's interest became apparent, Soshnikov saw more ice time.
"He told me people are watching me and they'd put me on the first line at the end of the season for 20 games," Soshnikov said. "(Namestnikov) said not to stop and continue playing and to gain momentum and then you'll go across the ocean to show yourself there."
Soshnikov finished 2014-15 with 14 goals and 32 points in 57 games. Toronto was impressed with what it saw, signing Soshnikov less than a month after his season ended.
With 21 games remaining on the Maple Leafs' schedule, Toronto called up Soshnikov from the AHL on Feb. 29, along with three other high-profile prospects, who represent the future for the rebuilding, last-place club. Although much of the hype has been focused on William Nylander and Kasperi Kapanen, it's been Soshnikov who has dazzled so far.
"He just looks like a hockey player to me," said Toronto head coach Mike Babcock. "He catches guys from behind, he forechecks, every team is mad at him every night, I like that a lot. I play him against the best players every night, that's pretty good for me."
Soshnikov had 18 goals and 28 points in 50 games with the Toronto Marlies. Through five NHL games, Soshnikov's scored twice and added an assist. Both goals have been highlight-reel material. He is unapologetic for his celebrations, backing them up with his physical play.
Living in Nizhny Tagil, watching NHL games was a challenge for Soshnikov. But it was important for him to find out what was happening with his favorite players.
"When I was small, I was waking up at three in the morning to watch reports about (Alexei) Yashin and (Pavel) Datsyuk. I tried to follow up on every Russian who played in the NHL," he said. "Teemu Selanne I really liked, a lot. Datsyuk was my favorite player."
Yashin and Selanne are long retired, but Soshnikov will likely fulfill a dream Sunday, when the Maple Leafs visit the Detroit Red Wings, and he takes the ice opposite his favorite player, the "Magic Man." It's the perfect setting, Joe Louis Arena, a building named after a former world heavyweight championship boxer.
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All's well that ends well.
One-month-old Beatrice was rushed from Montreal Canadiens' open practice in February to the hospital by mom Valerie Meloche after a puck tossed by star defenseman P.K. Subban accidentally struck her in the head.
The baby girl and her family got the chance to meet Subban on Tuesday night after the team's victory over the Dallas Stars:
Bébé Béatrice resting comfortably in the arms of @PKSubban1. All's well that ends well. #heisanatural pic.twitter.com/mnArGWXgGC
— Sean Farrell (@seanfarrell27) March 9, 2016
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Boston Bruins defenseman John-Michael Liles will have a hearing Thursday for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov.
Kucherov briefly left Tuesday's game in accordance with the NHL's concussion protocol, but was able to return.
Liles was not penalized for the hit.
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