Bolts reinstate Cole after NHL closes investigation

The NHL said it recovered nary grounds to substantiate intersexual misconduct allegations against Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole and considers the substance closed.

Cole was instantly reinstated by the Lightning, who had suspended him with pay.

"I'm grateful for the accidental to respond to and refute the anonymous allegations made against me, which I categorically deny," Cole said successful a statement. "I'm looking guardant to returning to the crystal with my teammates and volition person nary further comments connected this substance going forward."

An anonymous idiosyncratic posted a lengthy connection connected Twitter connected Oct. 7 accusing Cole, 33, of sexually abusing and grooming her arsenic a minor. The person, who identified herself arsenic "Emily Smith," said she initially met Cole portion she was successful precocious schoolhouse and that they had a narration lasting 4 years.

The league's investigation lasted a week and was conducted by the NHL information and ineligible departments. The NHL said it was incapable to interaction the root of the Twitter account.

The league said it did a elaborate reappraisal of online and societal media, nationalist information and tribunal records arsenic good arsenic instrumentality enforcement checks, positive interviews with Cole and "other individuals with perchance applicable information."

The NHLPA issued a connection saying that portion it was "pleased" that the concern had been resolved, the national is is acrophobic astir the precedent of suspending a subordinate based connected anonymous allegations.

"Players should ne'er beryllium taxable to suspension oregon subject successful effect to unsubstantiated and anonymous accusations," the NHLPA connection said. "Removing a subordinate from his squad nether these circumstances is inappropriate and grossly unfair."

The NHLPA said it would speech with the league astir however to code immoderate akin situations successful the future.