Kennedy Leaves IHL For Germany

Former NHL right wing Sheldon Kennedy, the victim in a sexual abuse case who returned to professional hockey two months ago, has left the Manitoba Moose to play in the German Elite League.

Kennedy signed a 25-game tryout contract with the Moose on Nov. 7 and had seven goals and seven assists in 24 games. His deal included a verbal agreement that allowed him to play in Europe.

"As it was presented to us, going to play in Europe is the best situation for Sheldon Kennedy and his family," said Manitoba general manager and coach Randy Carlyle. "In this instance, we allowed Sheldon to pursue this step in his hockey career."

The 29-year-old Kennedy was sexually abused more than 300 times by his former junior coach, Graham James, who is serving a prison sentence. Following a decade of silence, Kennedy leveled the allegations against James, shocking the hockey community. He also revealed that James abused other players, and the then-respected coach stood trial and was found guilty.

Kennedy was taken in the fifth round of the 1988 NHL draft by the Detroit Red Wings and played 183 games with them from 1989-94. He recorded career highs with 19 goals, 11 assists and 30 points in 1992-93.

Kennedy played 71 games with the Calgary Flames from 1994-96 before splitting the 1996-97 campaign between the Boston Bruins and their American Hockey League affiliate in Providence, Rhode Island. He missed the entire 1997-98 season with a leg injury, then completed an in-line skating trek across Canada to raise money and heighten awareness of physical and sexual abuse of children.

In 310 NHL games, Kennedy has 49 goals and 58 assists with 233 penalty minutes.

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