NHL prospect Mailloux withdraws from draft after November charge

NHL prospect Logan Mailloux has removed himself from the upcoming entry draft after being charged last fall for invasion of privacy for taking an offensive photo without consent during a sexual encounter.

"Being drafted into the NHL is an honor and a privilege that no one takes lightly," Mailloux wrote Tuesday on Twitter. "The NHL draft should be one of the most exciting landmark moments in a player's career, and given the circumstances, I don't feel I have demonstrated strong enough maturity or character to earn that privilege in the 2021 draft.

"If I were to ever have the honor of being selected, I would want a fan base to be proud to welcome me to their organization. I know it will take time for society to build back the trust I have lost, and that is why I think it is best that I renounce myself from the 2021 NHL Draft and ask that no one select me this upcoming weekend.

"I feel that this would allow me the opportunity to demonstrate an adequate level of maturity and character next season with the London Knights in the OHL, and provide all the NHL teams the opportunity to reassess my character toward the 2022 NHL Draft."

The photo in question was of a woman performing a consensual sexual act, and Mailloux sent it to multiple teammates, according to The Athletic's Katie Strang and Corey Pronman.

“I do not think that Logan has understood the seriousness of his behavior,” the woman wrote in an email to The Athletic in a story published at almost the same time as Mailloux's statement. The woman said all she wanted was a "heartfelt" apology in writing because she wasn't comfortable seeing him in person, adding that he sent her a "text that was no longer than three sentences."

On Friday, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reported multiple NHL clubs placed Mailloux on a "Do Not Draft" list after learning the defenseman was charged in November while playing in Sweden.

Mailloux was playing for Lejon in the country's third tier at the time because the OHL postponed and ultimately canceled its season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He reportedly paid a fine equivalent to $1,650 USD. The 26 NHL teams that interviewed him prior to the draft asked about the incident, according to Seravalli.

TSN's Bob McKenzie projected the 18-year-old, who was 17 in November, as a second-round pick in April.