Lou Lamoriello comments on drafting Reid Boucher and what he knew when he did

A very disturbing story came to light Saturday regarding former NHLer Reid Boucher. Now 28, Boucher pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl who was his billet sister back in 2011 when he was 17 years old. Boucher, who now plays in the KHL, managed to plead down to a lesser charge, and likely won't face any jail time or a permanent record when the judge decides on sentence on January 31st. This has, understandably, left the victim in the case, now 23, feeling like justice hasn't been served. You can read full details of that here.

The assault took place before Boucher was drafted into the NHL by then New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello. Lamoriello, now the GM of the New York Islanders, was asked Saturday whether he knew anything about this when the draft took place in 2011.

"Unequivocally, our organization did not know about this incident," said Lamoriello.

He was then asked if he had known about the incident would he have drafted Boucher.

"No," said Lamoriello.

It does seem likely that Lamoriello, and others in the NHL, were in the dark about this. While it was brought to the attention of USA Hockey in 2011, it was reported by the Detroit Free Press that all that happened was Boucher was removed from the home. The victim, now 23, did not press charges until recently after struggling with the incident throughout her teenage years.

While Russian media is reporting the story, there has so far been no response from Boucher or the team he plays for, Yaroslavl Lokomotiv. Besides being drafted by and playing for the New Jersey Devils, Boucher also did stints with the Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks.

Update: KHL releases statement on Reid Boucher after he pleads guilty to 2011 sexual assault of a 12-year-old

MUST READ

1 minutes ago  |  By Tom Banks John Gibson Reportedly Willing to Waive No-Trade Clause for One Specific Team

1 hour ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Toronto Maple Leafs on the Verge of a Significant Forward Trade Per Top NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman

2 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Connor Bedard Rapidly Losing His Confidence: Comments at Practice Worrying Fans

4 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Johnny Gaudreau's Wife Meredith Has Emotional Reaction to Beautiful Fan Tribute to Her Late Husband

5 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Brad Marchand Traded by the Boston Bruins? Top NHL Insider Lists Him as a Possible Player to Move

7 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Florida Panthers' Aaron Ekblad Loses His Cool and Insults Fan

19 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente LeBron James Says Goodbye: He Has Had Enough of the Media and Has Now Made a Statement

20 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery NHL Forced to Release Statement After Controversy Over Department of Player Safety Rulings on Hits to the Head

MORE STORIES