Calgary Flames prospect Topi Rönni facing rape charges in Finland, team was made aware following 2022 draft
By Zach Laing
6 months agoContent warning: This article discusses an allegation of sexual assault.
Calgary Flames prospect Topi Rönni is away from his club league in Finland after facing charges related to an alleged rape two years ago.
In a statement, Rönni said he recently informed his team, Tappara Tampere, that he received a court summons concerning the alleged incident that occurred while he was underage.
In a statement, Rönni said he recently informed his team, Tappara Tampere, that he received a court summons concerning the alleged incident that occurred while he was underage.
Rönni, 19, has stepped away from team activities.
“Today, I have received a summons application related to the matter. The last two or so years have been hard waiting for the matter to progress,” Rönnisaid in a statement released by his club, translated via Google Translate. “I trust that the related course of events will be clarified in connection with the trial.
“For the time being, I’m out of the team’s activities and I’m focusing on handling the matter.”
The Flames released a statement Thursday saying they “became aware of a potential legal issue involving Topi Ronni following our selection of him in the 2022 NHL Draft,” and that they “take this matter seriously and will let the legal process follow it’s due course.”
Tappara Tampere said the Helsinki District Court hadn’t determined a date for the case hearing.
“We take the suspected crime seriously, but we are waiting for the court hearing and will evaluate the player’s position afterwards,” Tamhockey Oy CEO Mika Aro said in a statement.
Tappara Tampere said the Helsinki District Court hadn’t determined a date for the case hearing.
“We take the suspected crime seriously, but we are waiting for the court hearing and will evaluate the player’s position afterwards,” Tamhockey Oy CEO Mika Aro said in a statement.
In a statement provided to FlamesNation when asked about Rönni’s World Junior eligibility, a spokesperson from the Finnish Ice Hockey Association said: “We will of course follow this closely and take the matter very seriously, but at the moment we are not able to say how it will impact his eligibility in December.”
Tappara, Rönni, and the Flames, say they will not further comment on the case.
The Flames selected Rönni in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft. He is not currently under contract with the club, but they hold his NHL rights as a drafted European prospect until June 1, 2026. His current contract with Tappara runs through the end of the 2023-24 season.
He represented Finland at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, appearing in five games and scoring no points. Rönni, who has scored one goal and one assist in 12 Liiga games this season, has been projected as a top candidate to play at the 2024 tournament in Swede
He represented Finland at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, appearing in five games and scoring no points. Rönni, who has scored one goal and one assist in 12 Liiga games this season, has been projected as a top candidate to play at the 2024 tournament in Swede
— With files from Ryan Pike.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.
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