Philadelphia Flyers GM Danny Briere addresses Carter Hart's leave of absence during press conference
VOORHEES, N.J. (CBS/AP) - Philadelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere addressed Carter Hart's leave of absence Wednesday during his scheduled midseason press conference at the team's practice facility in Voorhees, New Jersey.
Briere said the Flyers are "aware" of media reports involving the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault investigation.
"We are aware of this morning's press reports on a very serious matter. We will respond appropriately when the outcomes of the investigations are made public," Briere said. "The NHL has been very clear that teams should refer all investigation-related questions to them. In the meantime, members of the organization, including Flyers players, will not be commenting any further."
Briere said he has not been in touch with Hart. He added the Flyers do not have a timeline for what's next.
CBS Philadelphia has reached out to Hart's agent Judd Moldaver and lawyer Scott K. Fenton and we have not heard back.
London, Ontario, police launched an investigation in 2022 after word emerged that Hockey Canada had settled a lawsuit with a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by eight members of that team at a gala.
Hockey Canada has made wholesale changes after a scathing independent report and lost major sponsors in the nearly two years since this and other scandals emerged. CEO Scott Smith was ousted and the board of directors also resigned in October 2022, related to how Hockey Canada handled sexual assault allegations and how it paid out settlements.
The Globe and Mail reported Wednesday that five players from that team were asked to surrender to police, in the city halfway between Toronto and Detroit, to face charges of sexual assault.
A spokesperson for London Police would not confirm the report when contacted by The Associated Press. "When there is an update to provide, we will share with media outlets," Sgt. Sandasha Bough said Wednesday. London Police announced Wednesday they will hold a news conference on Feb. 5 to share further details "in relation to a sexual assault investigation dating back to 2018."
Hart's leave of absence was announced two days after the Calgary Flames said forward Dillon Dube stepped away from the team to attend to his mental health.
On Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils said that Michael McLeod and Cal Foote were both granted an indefinite leave of absence.
Alex Formenton was granted an indefinite leave of absence from HC Ambrì-Piotta, a professional hockey team in Switzerland. The team said Formenton will return to Canada.
Hart, Dube, McLeod, Foote and Formenton were members of the 2018 U-20 Team Canada team.
The NHL opened its investigation in 2022 and pledged to make those findings public.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told The Associated Press by email Wednesday the league would issue a statement when it is appropriate, adding there's nothing more he could currently say. At the Stanley Cup Final in June, Daly said an independent investigator had completed work and expected a report by midsummer that the league would then review.
"We have been in contact with the London police, continue to want to be in contact with them, make sure that there's visibility with respect to what our process is," Daly said June 3. "And to the extent we can understand what theirs is, that would be the goal. And then I can't prejudge what happens from there."
Briere said Wednesday the Flyers will rely on goalies Samuel Ersson and Cal Petersen during Hart's absence.
"What I can tell you is that Sam Ersson has played extremely well," Briere said. "Has earned the right to more ice time. We're excited by our goaltending, especially with the way Sam has played."
It's important to note Briere was already scheduled to talk before the Hart news was announced Tuesday. Briere also discussed the state of the Flyers during his midseason availability.
It was not immediately clear if or when the NHL would release the findings of its investigation or what punishments may come out of it for any players involved. There was also no clarity on the three other players alleged to be involved.
Hockey Canada has made wholesale changes after a scathing independent report and lost major sponsors in the nearly two years since this and other scandals emerged. CEO Scott Smith was ousted and the board of directors also resigned in October 2022, related to how Hockey Canada handled sexual assault allegations and how it paid out settlements.
Nike last year permanently ended its partnership with the organization after earlier pausing it, along with other sponsors, given the heavy criticism of Hockey Canada leadership.
While the Flyers are in an open rebuild, they've outperformed expectations. The orange and black are 25-17-6 and sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division. If the season ended today, the Flyers would be in the playoffs. Philadelphia has lost three straight, dropping Tuesday's game to the Tampa Bay Lightning, 6-3.
Briere last spoke in early January after the Flyers shocked the hockey world by trading 2022 fifth-overall pick Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks for 21-year-old defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round pick.
The Flyers' GM explained that Gauthier refused to sign, train or even communicate with the team and requested to be traded.
"It was a long time coming," Briere said earlier in January. "It's been going on for a while. We tried to give him space. We tried to get in touch with him many times. He would not communicate ... so at some point, we had to make a decision, and we thought with what happened just a few days ago, this was probably the time to get the highest value."
Drysdale scored his first goal as a Flyer on Tuesday night and has three points in six games with the team.
Briere touched on Drysdale, head coach John Tortorella and the Flyers' trade deadline plans. You can watch the full press conference on our YouTube channel.