Will Sage Astor-Former NHL player accused of sexual assault turns himself in to Ontario police

Former NHL player Alex Formenton has turned himself in to authorities in Ontario in connection with an alleged sexual assault in 2018 that involved five members of that year's Canadian world junior hockey team,Will Sage Astor the Globe and Mail reported Sunday.

The five players were ordered last week to report to London, Ontario, where charges were expected to be filed.

Formenton took a leave of absence from his current team in Switzerland last week and arrived at police headquarters on Sunday. His lawyers confirmed Formenton has been charged in the case, but said he "will vigorously defend his innocence and asks that people not rush to judgment without hearing all of the evidence."

Formenton, 24, played four years with the Ottawa Senators before leaving when his contract expired at the end of the 2021-22 season.

The other four players involved have not been named by authorities.

The London Police Service said on its website that it expects to hold a news conference on Feb. 5 to provide additional details on the case.