Canadiens owner Geoff Molson releases statement on decision to draft Logan Mailloux

In the wake of selecting prospect Logan Mailloux in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson has released a statement regarding his team's controversial decision.

“I want to share with you my perspective on our decision to select Logan Mailloux in the 2021 NHL Draft,” Molson’s statement read. “This decision, made in the context of the draft, turned out to be instantaneously very offensive to many of you.

“I understand that you expected more from us and we let you down. The Montreal Canadiens are more than a hockey team. Logan’s actions do not reflect the values of our organization and I apologize for the pain this selection has caused.”

While playing in Sweden this past season, Mailloux was charged after taking a photo of an 18-year-old woman during a consensual sexual encounter and sending it, along with her online profile, to his teammates without her consent. He was handed a fine equivalent to $2,070 Canadian dollars.

Molson went on to recognize the victim in his statement, saying that the Canadiens do not want to minimize what she continues to go through.

“Logan is a young man who committed a serious transgression,” Molson continued. “He is genuinely remorseful about the pain he has caused. He is committed to becoming a better person and we will work with him through this process.”

The Canadiens owner then laid out a three-point action plan the team is committed to fulfilling in the months ahead. It includes the development of a "comprehensive plan to raise awareness and educate young men and young women about this serious issue," a commitment to overseeing Mailloux's personal development, and not allowing him to participate in rookie or main training camp this fall.

“Being a player in the NHL is a privilege that is earned — not a right that is granted. As the year progresses we will reassess Logan’s readiness to be part of our organization," Molson said. "We gave Logan a second chance, but in doing so, we failed to properly assess the impact of our decision on the victim and on anyone who has suffered in similar circumstances. Once again, I want to apologize to everyone impacted by our decision.”

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