NHL prospect Topi Ronni is under investigation in his native Finland for a rape allegation dating back two years.
Ronni, a 19-year-old center, was selected in the second round of the NHL Draft by the Flames last year.
Ronni’s Finnish Elite team, Tappara Tampere, posted on its website that Ronni informed the club of the investigation.
“The last two or so years have been hard waiting for the matter to progress. I trust that the related course of events will be clarified in connection with the trial,” Ronni, who has skated in 12 games this season, said in a statement as translated from Finnish.
“I [will be] away from the team’s activities for the time being and I am focusing on handling the matter.”
According to the Associated Press, details of the investigation are unknown because the case documents are sealed, and no court hearing has been scheduled.
At the time of the alleged incident — which occurred in summer 2021, according to The Athletic — Ronni was a minor.
“We came aware of a potential legal issue involving Top Ronni following our selection of him in the 2022 NHL Draft,” the Flames said in a statement.
“We take this matter seriously and will let the legal process follow its due course. We have no further comment at this time.”
Tampere CEO Mika Aro added in the team’s statement that they “take the suspected crime seriously, but we are waiting for the court hearing and will evaluate the player’s position after that,” according to Sportsnet.
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