NHL prospect Mailloux withdraws from draft
London Knights defenceman's move follows reports of incident in Sweden
In a nearly unprecedented move, London Knights defenceman Logan Mailloux has renounced himself from consideration in the 2021 NHL Draft.
The projected first-round selection, who is from Belle River, asked all 32 teams to leave him off their lists in a statement posted on social media early Tuesday. The rare move comes four days after he publicly acknowledged he was fined in Sweden last November for taking and distributing a woman's intimate photo without her consent after a consensual sexual encounter.
He was overseas playing pro hockey this winter because COVID-19 scuttled the OHL season. The NHL Draft is this weekend.
“Being drafted into the NHL is an (honour) and privilege that no one takes lightly,” the 18-year-old wrote. “The NHL Draft should be one of the most exciting landmark moments in a player's career, and given the circumstances, I don't feel I have demonstrated strong enough maturity or character to earn that privilege in the 2021 draft.”
A growing number of NHL teams had already indicated they would not pick Mailloux this weekend. According to a report in The Athletic, the woman who had been victimized in the Mailloux encounter suggested that all she wanted from him was “a heartfelt apology.”
Mailloux's post suggested he will work toward building back public trust and plans to play at Budweiser Gardens with the Knights this fall.
“If I were to ever have the honour of being selected, I would want a fan base to be proud to welcome me to their organization,” he said of his NHL dreams. “I feel that this (renunciation) would allow me the opportunity to demonstrate an adequate level of maturity and character next season, with the London Knights in the OHL, to provide all NHL teams the opportunity to reassess my character towards the 2022 NHL draft.”
Mark and Dale Hunter, who own and run the Knights, have not yet addressed the matter publicly. A recent team statement suggested the club plans to bring him back next season.