Former Maple Leafs player Dave “Tiger” Williams was charged with one count of assault and one count of sexual assault yesterday, according to the Toronto Star. The charges were laid following an incident in December onboard a military aircraft headed for Latvia. Williams was part of a “Team Canada” tour to entertain Canadian troops overseas.
Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan issued the following statement:
“First and foremost, we want to acknowledge the incredible courage of this woman for coming forward,” Shanahan said.
“As an organization, we stand firmly against all or any forms of physical and emotional assault. With so little information available to us at this moment, and out of respect for the necessary legal process, we will refrain from commenting any further at this time,”
Williams has been an active part of the Maple Leafs alumni since his retirement from the NHL in 1988.
The Maple Leafs entered into a partnership with the White Ribbon campaign, a group that asks men to “pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls” during the 2016-17 season, releasing a video entitled “Men of Quality” late in the season.