Former Leafs, Senators prospect sentenced to jail for harassing ex-girlfriend

A former Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has been sentenced to six months in prison for harassing and threatening his ex-girlfriend.

Gabriel Gagné, 26, pleaded guilty to charges of harassment and death threats in May 2023 in a Quebec court.

Court documents obtained by TVA Sports stated that Gagné committed his crimes during a three-year relationship between 2015 and 2018, a time in which he also struggled with alcohol consumption issues.

The victim, whose identity is protected by the court, testified that Gagné would call her incessantly, at all hours of the day, in the summer of 2017. Despite attempts at blocking his number and on social media, Gagné created multiple fake accounts to communicate with the victim.

Following his arrest in 2021, more victims came forward with allegations against Gagné. He was also arrested in 2022 for having lured a minor in Saint-Jérome, Quebec. Weeks later, he appeared in a Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec court, where he faced sexual assault, armed assault and harassment charges brought forth by another young woman. He is yet to be prosecuted for these crimes.

Gagné's history of sexual violence goes back to his adolescence. He notably pleaded guilty in juvenile court last year to two counts of sexual assault he committed in 2014, while he played for the Victoriaville Tigres of the QMJHL.

Gagné was drafted 36th overall by the Senators in the 2015 NHL Draft. He spent five seasons bouncing around the AHL and ECHL, notably spending time with the Belleville Senators and Toronto Marlies. In June 2021, Gagné signed a contract with Norwegian club Stjernen, but the pact was terminated following his arrest.