Logan Mailloux has withdrawn from the 2021 NHL Draft, the London Knights defenceman announced on his Twitter account.
“Being drafted into the NHL is an honour and a privilege that no one takes lightly. 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 writes. “If I were to ever have the honour of being selected I would want a fanbase to be proud to welcome me to their organization. I know it will take time for society to build back the trust I have lost, and that is why I think it is best that I renounce myself from the 2021 NHL Draft and ask that no one select me this upcoming weekend. I feel that this would allow me the opportunity to demonstrate an adequate level of maturity and character next season with the London Knights in the OHL, and provide all the NHL teams the opportunity to reassess my character towards the 2022 NHL Draft.”
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported that multiple teams were dropping the defenceman from their draft list after he was charged in Sweden for taking and distributing an offensive photo without consent during a consensual sexual encounter on Nov. 7. Mailloux was charged with both defamation and “Kränkande fotografering,” or offensive photography, and ordered to pay 14,300 Swedish krona, approximately $1,650 U.S. dollars.
Mailloux was playing on loan with the Swedish third division club SK Lejon as the Ontario Hockey League season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Knights issued a statement on July 16 saying that they were aware of the situation and working with Mailloux to understand the ramifications of his actions.
“The London Knights became aware of a situation involving Logan Mailloux that occurred when he was loaned from the team and playing in Sweden during the pandemic,” the statement read. “It is our understanding that the situation has been resolved in Sweden and the player has apologized. Team staff are working with Logan, ensuring that he is accessing the supports that are in place to help him better understand his actions, the ramifications of his actions and ensuring that this does not happen again. The team and the (Ontario Hockey) League will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
In 19 games with SK Lejon, Mailloux had seven goals and 15 points.
