Canadian figure skater Soerensen barred minimum 6 years for 'sexual maltreatment'

Canadian figure skater Nikolaj Sorensen has been suspended for at least six years for "sexual maltreatment," the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner announced Wednesday.

The suspension was listed on the office's Abuse-Free Sport registry and is subject to challenge or appeal.

The ban is a result of an OSIC investigation into an allegation that Sorensen sexually assaulted an American figure skating coach and former skater in Hartford, Conn., in 2012.

Sorensen has denied the allegation, which has not been tested in court.

Sorensen and skating partner Laurence Fournier Beaudry were active last season despite the allegation and investigation.

In March, they competed at the world figure skating championships in Montreal.

Two months earlier, they withdrew from the  national championship in Calgary after USA Today reported in January that an American figure skating coach and former skater accused Soerensen of sexually assaulting her in Hartford, Conn., in 2012. Soerensen was 23 at the time.

Soerensen and Fournier Beaudry captured a silver medal later that month at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai.