| Subject: Re: Huselius & Lilja |
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Date Posted: 08:01:20 02/15/05 Tue
In reply to:
In the News
's message, "Huselius & Lilja" on 07:02:19 02/14/05 Mon
NHLers cut in Sweden amid scandal
Updated: Tuesday February 15, 2005 10:09AM
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) -- Two days after being banned from Sweden's national team, three NHL players accused of raping a woman were suspended for the remainder of the season by their club teams Monday.
Florida Panthers forward Kristian Huselius, the Swedish Elite League's leading scorer this season, and teammate Henrik Tallinder of the Buffalo Sabres were released by Linkoping following a club board meeting.
Nashville defenseman Andreas Lilja was suspended for the rest of the season -- but not released -- by his Swedish team, Mora.
The three have been playing in Europe during the NHL lockout.
The decisions were expected after the trio was suspended Saturday for the remainder of the season, including participation in the World Hockey Championships in Austria this spring, by the Swedish Ice Hockey Association.
The trio reportedly told police last week they had consensual sex with a 22-year-old woman in their hotel room after meeting her in a bar early Wednesday.
Authorities released the players after questioning, saying they didn't have enough evidence to charge them.
A day later, Swedish hockey's governing body condemned their action.
"By their actions, these players have damaged Swedish hockey, other players, officials and this girl," Swedish Ice Hockey Association chairman Christer Englund said. "They went out during a national team gathering and they brought the girl to the room. We can't accept what happened."
After being examined Thursday at the Huddinge University Hospital in Stockholm, the woman told police she had been raped.
The players quit the team Friday morning in the midst of the Sweden Hockey Games, the last event on the European Hockey Tour.
Lilja read a statement at a press conference in Mora, asking people, including the 22-year-old woman, for forgiveness.
"I'm still shocked by the incident," Lilja said. "If I could rewind my life five, six days and edit certain parts I would do it. But it's not so easy."
Mora club director Jan Simons condemned Lilja's actions, but noted that the team is offering the player help.
"It's our responsibility as employer to help him. We'll sit down in the next few days and create a program for him," Simons said.
Linkoping's board consulted with Huselius and Tallinder before reaching a unanimous decision to release them.
"The players really had bad judgment and our club does not accept their actions," said club director Mike Helber. "Still, we offer them all support they need. We're talking about two broken souls who are very regretful. I've spent a lot of time talking to them. I feel bad for them."
Huselius and Tallinder accepted the decision in a joint statement released on the team's Internet web site.
"Considering what has happened, we think we can't produce for the club and therefore we accept the decision and will now focus on our families," the players said.
Huselius and Tallinder donated half of their last paychecks to the club's youth programs, the club said.
Linkoping felt pressure from sponsors and fans. One major sponsor threatened to withdraw its financial support if the players were not released.
"Naturally, you think about their girlfriends," Linkoping captain Thomas Johansson said. "It's a big tragedy for their families. It's a tough personal penalty for the players."
Huselius, 26, leads the Swedish League with 14 goals and 35 assists in 34 games. He has played 55 games for Sweden scoring 20 goals. He's a two-time Swedish champion with Farjestad, and won bronze medals for Sweden at the 2001 and 2002 World Championships.
Lilja, 29, has 3 goals and 8 assists in 44 games for Mora this season. He's played 11 games for Sweden, scoring 3 goals.
Tallinder, 26, has 6 goals and 10 assists in 44 games for Mora, and no goals in 17 games with Sweden.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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