Three members of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, including a Philadelphia Flyers prospect, were charged with sexual assault on Saturday.
Nick Cousins, Andrew Fritsch and Mark Petaccio were charged with sexual assaulting a female known to them, the Sault Police said in a release. It was not clear when the alleged incident occurred.
The Greyhounds released a statement Sunday stating they will support the players and the police in its investigation.
"Over the course of time that each of these players has been part of our program we have seen each of them make excellent strides both on and off the ice," the club said. "The strides made over each young man’s tenure here are what makes today’s situation so surprising."
The Flyers also released a statement, refraining from comment other than describing the report as an "unfortunate incident."
Cousins and Fritsch, both 19, are scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 1.
Petaccio, 18, will have a bail hearing Monday.
Cousins is the highest profile of the players on the ice, a third round draft choice of the Philadelphia Flyers who scored four goals and four assists in seven games to help Canada to a silver medal at the under-18 world championships in 2011.
The centre led the Greyhounds in goals and assists last season and signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers in March, appearing in one game in the American Hockey League.
Fritsch, a right wing, was drafted in the sixth round by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2011.
