NHL players charged with sexual assault
NHL players Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils and Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames have been charged with sexual assault in connection with an alleged assault by several members of Canada's 2018 world junior team.
Attorneys representing Hart, McLeod, Foote and Dube said Tuesday that each player has been charged with sexual assault by police in London, Ontario. They denied any wrongdoing on behalf of their clients.
Hart's lawyers, Megan Savard and Riaz Sayani, said their client is facing one count of sexual assault, adding, “He is innocent and will provide a full response to this false accusation in the proper forum, a court of law.”
Legal teams representing McLeod and Dube said they would be pleading not guilty. Dube's lawyers, Louis Strezos and Kayleigh Davidson, said he “maintains his innocence (and) will defend the allegations in court.” Foote's lawyer, Julianna Greenspan, said her client was innocent.
All four players have taken leave from their current clubs. London police launched their investigation in 2022 after Hockey Canada had settled a lawsuit with a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by eight members of that gold medalwinning team at a gala.
MLB PEDERSON INTRIGUED WITH NEW DBACKS TEAMMATES >>
Joc Pederson watched the Arizona Diamondbacks' surprise run to the World Series last fall and didn't see a whole lot of luck.
Instead, he witnessed a fascinating mix of skill, youth and chaos. He liked it so much he wanted to join in.
Pederson and the National League champion D-backs finalized a $9.5 million, one-year contract that includes a mutual option for 2025.
“They've always done the little things right and now they've added young superstars that are changing the game, stealing bases, hitting homers,” said the former Giants slugger. “They're electric out there and I want to be a part of it.”
The 31-year-old has been a consistent power threat for a decade, with 186 career home runs for the Dodgers, Cubs, Braves and Giants. He was an All-Star with San Francisco in 2022 but wasn't as productive last season, batting .235 with 15 homers. ORIOLES SET TO SELL CLUB FOR $1.725 BILLION >> Carlyle Group Inc. co-founder David Rubenstein has reached an agreement to buy the Baltimore Orioles for $1.725 billion, a source told AP.
Rubenstein, a Baltimore native, will take over as the team's controlling owner, and he's assembled an investment team that includes Ares co-founder Michael Arougheti.
The Angelos family has been in control of the Orioles since 1993, when Peter Angelos purchased the team for $173 million.
TORONTO ADDS TURNER ON $13 MILLION, 1-YEAR DEAL >> Veteran infielder Justin Turner and the Blue Jays have agreed to a $13 million, one-year contract, the team announced.
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General manager Chris Young said the operation was performed by Dr. Venkata Evani in Arizona, where the team holds spring training. Young, who described his level of concern as “very low,” said the Rangers are hopeful he will be ready by opening day.
Seager batted .327 with 33 homers and 96 RBIs in 119 games last year. BURNED REMNANTS OF ROBINSON STATUE FOUND >> Fire crews found the burned remnants of a prized bronze statue of Jackie Robinson that was stolen last week from a public park in Kansas, authorities said.
The Wichita fire department received a call around 8:40 a.m. about a trash can on fire at Garvey Park in the southern part of the city and discovered what appeared to be pieces of the statue, according to police spokesperson Andrew Ford. He described it as “not salvageable.”
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Men's college basketball GEORGIA TECH UPSETS NO. 3 NORTH CAROLINA >>
Naithan George scored a go-ahead layup with 7.7 seconds remaining and Georgia Tech beat No. 3 North Carolina 74-73 at home to end the Tar Heels' 10-game winning streak.
RJ Davis, who scored a gamehigh 28 points for North Carolina (17-4, 9-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), won the race to a loose ball following a missed jumper by George and scored on a layup with 34 seconds remaining for a 73-72 lead. Following a Georgia Tech timeout, George drove for the go-ahead layup for the Yellow Jackets (10-11, 3-7).
North Carolina's Davis missed a last-second jumper, prompting Georgia Tech fans to celebrate by rushing onto the court.