Alex Formenton turns self in amid Canada juniors inquiry

Former NHL player Alex Formenton turned himself in to police Sunday as part of an investigation into an alleged sexual assault by several members of Canada's 2018 World Junior team.

Formenton's legal team told the Associated Press that police in London, Ontario, have charged Formenton and several other players. Attorney Daniel Brown did not say what charge Formenton faced.

“Alex will vigorously defend his innocence and asks people not to rush to judgment without hearing all of the evidence,” Brown said in an emailed statement to the AP.

Five players from that 2018 team took a leave of absence in the final week of their current club, including Formenton, a former Ottawa Senators player who is now in Europe. His Swiss team, HC Ambri-Piotta, said he was granted indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons and was allowed to return home to Canada.

NHL players Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers and Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames have also taken time off in recent days.

London police have planned a press conference on February 5 to address the situation and have refused to comment further. Reached Sunday, a spokesperson said police “will provide any updates at our press conference.”

Formenton, 24, played 109 games with the Senators from the 2017-18 season to 2021-22 before his contract was not renewed and he went overseas.