Hockey enthusiasts were left in dismay when the NHL announced the expansion of the Utah team amidst the recent update on the Hockey Canada scandal. The news of Utah’s expansion request coincided with Robyn Doolittle of the Globe and Mail’s report that five members of the 2018 World Junior team had been instructed to surrender to police in London, Ontario to confront sexual assault charges.
This development marked a significant twist in the ongoing investigation into the scandal involving members of the 2018 World Junior team. Coincidentally, news also surfaced that Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), the parent company of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, had petitioned the National Hockey League to initiate the expansion process for the NHL team in Utah.
The simultaneous announcement of the expansion request and the latest update on the Hockey Canada scandal prompted fans to question the motives of the NHL. Many perceived the timing of the Utah expansion news as an attempt by the NHL to divert attention away from the ongoing scandal.
The response on social media was swift, with fans expressing their frustration over the timing of the announcements. One fan took to X, formerly Twitter, to criticise NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, stating, “@PR_NHL Gary Bettman deflection protocol 101…”
The recent revelation in the Hockey Canada scandal has sent shockwaves through the NHL, and it appears that the hockey world may finally receive some much-needed clarity on the matter. However, the identities of the five players involved in the scandal have not been disclosed at this time.
In the aftermath of the investigation, five players have requested a leave of absence from their respective teams: Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and Alex Forementon. While there is no official confirmation linking these players’ leave to the scandal, the simultaneous nature of these developments has sparked speculation among hockey fans.
The timing of the Utah team’s expansion news and the update on the Hockey Canada scandal has resulted in widespread criticism of the NHL. Fans and observers are closely following both stories as they continue to unfold.
With the scandal taking a significant turn and the formal request for an expansion team in Utah, the hockey world has been left reeling from the latest developments. As the investigations progress, the NHL and its teams are likely to face increased scrutiny and pressure to address the issues at hand.