Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson released a statement Wednesday in the form of a letter to the fans regarding his team’s recent selection of defenceman Logan Mailloux at the 2021 NHL Draft.
“This decision, made in the context of the draft, turned out to be instantaneously very offensive to many of you,” the letter read. “I understand that you expect more from us and we let you down.”
The Canadiens selected Mailloux 31st overall on Friday during the first round of the draft, a decision that incited widespread controversy and backlash.
Mailloux, 18, was charged in Sweden for distributing without consent a photo of a woman performing a sexual act. He was criminally convicted and fined by Swedish authorities in December.
“The Montreal Canadiens are more than a hockey team,” Molson wrote. “Logan's actions do not reflect the values of our organization and I apologize for the pain this selection has caused.”
Molson, while acknowledging the pain the victim has had to -- and continues to -- live through, said the Canadiens are "there to support her and her family and respect their privacy." But Molson did not detail how the team has, or will, provide support.
Mailloux had released a statement prior to the draft asking teams to not select him.
“Being drafted into the NHL is an honour and a privilege that no one takes lightly,” Mailloux stated. “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.”
Mailloux spoke with reporters the day after he was taken where he said he was remoreseful over what he called “a stupid mistake.”
Molson also explained the organization will work with local experts to create a comprehensive plan to “educate young men and young women about this serious issue” and “will support and oversee Logan's commitment to becoming a better person.” The scope, specifics and timeline for those plans were not detailed.
Mailloux has been asked to not participate in the team’s rookie camp or main training camp later this year.
“Logan is a young man who committed a serious transgression,” Molson added. “He is genuinely remorseful about the pain he has caused. He is committed to becoming a better person and we will work with him through this process. At this stage, it is only our actions that will speak louder than our words. … We gave Logan a second chance but in doing so, we failed to properly assess the impact of our decision on the victim and on anyone who have suffered in similar circumstances. Once again, I want to apologize to everyone impacted by our decision.”
After the draft, some of the team’s sponsors had indicated they were reviewing their relationship with the Canadiens and Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, chimed in with his opinion Tuesday.
“As a lifelong Habs fan, I have to say I am deeply disappointed by the decision," Trudeau told reporters in Moncton N.B. “I think it was a lack of judgment by the Canadiens organization. I think they have a lot of explaining to do, to Montrealers and to fans from right across the country.”
