On Saturday, just before the puck dropped in the game involving the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Lightning released a statement announcing that the investigation involving alleged sexual assault and grooming of a minor by defenseman Ian Cole prior to his joining the club had been closed and he has been reinstated from his suspension. Their press release was as follows:
‘TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning today issued the following statement regarding the reinstatement of defenseman Ian Cole:
Following an investigation by the National Hockey League into allegations that surfaced recently via social media, which included multiple interviews and attempts to contact the source of the post, Ian Cole has been cleared to return to The Tampa Bay Lightning.