A Calgary Flames prospect is facing some nasty charges.
Calgary Flames draft pick Topi Ronni is under investigation in his native Finland after being accused of rape.
The 19-year-old has appeared in 12 games in the Finnish Liiga this season with Tappara Tampere. The club shared the news of Ronni’s situation on its official website on Thursday. The Flames selected Ronni in the second round (No. 59 overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, after he had already turned 18.
The 19-year-old center was a minor at the time of the alleged rape.
“Today, I have received a summons application related to the matter,” Ronni said in a statement (translated from Finnish). “The last two or so years have been hard waiting for the matter to progress. I trust that the related course of events will be clarified in connection with the trial. For the time being, I’m out of the team’s activities and I’m focusing on handling the matter.”
Details of the alleged rape are unknown because the case documents are sealed, and a court hearing date has not been scheduled.
The Flames issued a statement saying they became aware of a potential legal issue involving Ronni after the draft. “We take this matter seriously and will let the legal process follow its due course,” the Flames said.
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Ronni represented Finland at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship and has been projected by many analysts as a top candidate to play at the 2024 tournament in Sweden.
