Ian Cole will have an in-person interview with the NHL in New York on Wednesday as the league continues its investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against the Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman.
Joining Cole for the interview will be representatives from the NHLPA and legal representation.
ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported on Monday that Jared Maples, the NHL's chief security officer would conduct the interview with Cole.
The Lightning suspended Cole on Sunday after accusations of sexual assault and grooming were made against the defenceman in a statement posted to Twitter on Friday.
The Lighting say Cole will remain suspended "pending the results of an investigation" being led by the NHL. The team says it is "cooperating fully with the NHL on an investigation" and that it will have no further comment.
Kaplan reports the Lightning made the decision to suspend Cole until the investigation is fully completed.
Twitter user Emily_Smith3333 accused Cole of grooming and sexually assaulting them in a statement posted Friday. The statement does not say when or where the alleged assault occurred, but Emily_Smith3333 says that they were in high school and Cole was an active NHL player at the time.
After the suspension was announced, Cole issued a statement through his agent in which he denied the allegations and said that he "will fully cooperate" with the investigation.
Maples has been with the NHL head office since 2021. He previously was director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
Maples was involved in the NHL's investigation of Evander Kane last year after he was accused of abuse by his ex-wife — Anna, who declined to take part in the probe. There was no discipline given to the current Edmonton Oilers forward.
