Flyers Pick Charged With Sexual Assault, Along With Player From Sicklerville
By Robin Rieger
DELRAN, NJ (CBS) – Nineteen-year-old Mark Petaccio of Sicklerville is free following a bail hearing Monday afternoon for an incident in Ste. Marie, Canada where he was charged with sexual assault.
Police say Petaccio, a player on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds ice hockey team, was with teammate Nick Cousins, a Philadelphia Flyers prospect, and a third player at a bar where they met the alleged victim Friday night.
Police say all were drinking and went back to the home of one of the men, where an alleged sexual assault involving all three men took place. Police say the victim called police early Saturday morning to report it.
All three men involved were called to the station around 6 p.m. on Saturday, where they were subsequently arrested and charged.
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren issued the following statement on Sunday concerning Flyers prospect Nick Cousins:
"We are aware of the unfortunate situation involving Nick Cousins. Due to lack of information available to us, we will not comment at this time."
The Greyhounds Hockey Club also released a statement about the charges levied against the three players:
"Earlier today our organization was made aware of accusations involving three members of our hockey program.
Over the course of time that each of these players has been part of our program we have seen each of them make excellent strides both on and off the ice. The strides made over each young man's tenure here are what makes today's situation so surprising.
Our Hockey Club will continue to perform our duty in supporting the three members of our team as they go through the legal process. Our Hockey Club will now allow the legal process to run its due course at this time. We will also continue to support the investigation of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services in any way possible."
