Overview of Allegations

The National Hockey League (NHL) has confirmed that the New York Rangers informed the league about an investigation into allegations of sexual assault made against player Artemi Panarin. These allegations involved a former team employee and came to light following a report detailing financial settlements made to the accuser.

Details of the Investigation

According to NHL officials, the Rangers engaged an external law firm to conduct an independent investigation, a process in which the league was kept informed. The NHL stated, “We consider the matter closed.”

The Athletic reported that the allegations dated back to December 2023, claiming that Panarin assaulted the woman during a road trip. The report outlines an incident where Panarin allegedly took the woman’s phone at a postgame gathering and invited her to his hotel room to retrieve it. Upon her arrival, it is claimed that he pinned her on the bed before she managed to push him away and leave with her phone.

Resolution of the Case

The woman came forward with her accusations approximately three months later and parted ways with the Rangers in August after reaching a financial settlement. This settlement included a nondisclosure agreement and did not involve any admission of wrongdoing by Panarin, according to reports.

A spokesperson for Madison Square Garden Sports (MSG), which owns the Rangers, stated simply, “The matter has been resolved.” The woman echoed this sentiment in her communication with The Athletic.

Current Status of Artemi Panarin

Artemi Panarin, aged 33 and a prominent winger from Russia, continues to be a key player for the Rangers. He has consistently been a top scorer for the team and recently concluded his sixth season of a seven-year, $81.5 million contract signed in 2019. Notably, he was named the team’s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season just the day before the controversy resurfaced.

Conclusion

The NHL’s statement indicating the closure of this case reflects the organization’s procedural handling of serious allegations. The Rangers and Panarin have moved forward publicly while the incident continues to draw attention to issues within professional sports. The league, the team, and the involved parties have expressed their intent to consider the matter settled.