NHL, Hockey Canada respond to details in settled sexual assault civil case

WARNING: This article contains graphic content and may affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone affected by it. 

Hockey Canada has reached a settlement with a woman who alleged in a lawsuit that she was sexually assaulted by multiple Canadian Hockey League players, including members of Canada's gold-medal winning 2017-18 World Junior team.

The assaults are alleged to have taken place on June 18 and June 19, 2018, following a Hockey Canada Foundation gala and golf event in London, Ont. None of the allegations against the players have been proven in court.

In a statement issued Thursday, Hockey Canada said it is "deeply troubled by the very serious allegations of sexual assault regarding members of the 2017-18 National Junior Hockey Team."

The statement goes on to say: "The person bringing the allegations forward chose not to speak with either police or with Hockey Canada's independent investigator and also chose not to identify the players involved. This was her right and we fully respect her wishes."

The NHL also issued a statement describing the actions alleged in the woman's statement of claim as "abhorrent and reprehensible." 

The NHL says it will be looking into what happened.

"We will endeavour to learn the underlying facts and, to the extent this may involve players who are now in the NHL, we will determine what action, if any, is appropriate." 

NHL statement on lawsuit against Hockey Canada and Canadian Hockey League. <a href="https://t.co/3NGDPr87v0">pic.twitter.com/3NGDPr87v0</a>

A woman who is named in court documents only by her initials filed a lawsuit against eight players — listed in court documents as numbered John Does — on April 20 of this year. The lawsuit also names as