Breaking News: New York Rangers star forward Artemi Panarin, along with Madison Square Garden Sports, reached financial settlements with a team employee last year following allegations of sexual assault against Panarin, a source close to the situation reveals. The woman, who worked with the Rangers’ traveling party, accused Panarin of pinning her down in his hotel room during a team road trip in December 2023. The NHL is treating the matter as closed, with no reported disciplinary action against Panarin. This comes as Panarin was recently named the Rangers’ MVP for the 2024-25 season.
Breaking: NHL Star Artemi Panarin Accused of Sexual Assault; Team, Player Reach Settlement
MSG and Panarin Settle Allegation Out of Court
Shockwaves in the NHL
New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin and Madison Square Garden Sports (MSG) have reached financial settlements with a former team employee who alleged Panarin sexually assaulted her in December 2023, according to multiple sources briefed on the matter.
Alleged Incident during Road Trip
The woman, who was part of the team’s traveling party, claimed Panarin took her phone and asked her to retrieve it from his hotel room. When she went to his room, she alleged Panarin pinned her down on the bed. She managed to push him off, retrieve her phone, and leave the room.
Settlement Details
Four sources with knowledge of the settlement agreements confirmed to 247Sports that the woman received separate payouts from both Panarin and MSG. The agreements included non-disclosure and no admission of wrongdoing clauses.
“The matter has been resolved.”
That’s all both Panarin, through his agent, MSG, and the woman involved would say when approached for comment.
Team’s Response and Internal Investigation
The NHL confirms an independent investigation was conducted, and the league considers the matter closed. However, the woman did not report the incident to law enforcement. She first informed the team about the alleged assault in March 2024, during an investigation into another matter.
Panarin: A Zack to the MVP Award
At the time of the woman’s disclosure, Panarin was leading the team with 43 goals and 102 points, cementing himself as a Hart Trophy contender. Despite the allegations, Panarin was named the Rangers MVP for the 2024-25 season.
Previous Panarin Controversy
In 2021, Panarin took a leave of absence after claims surfaced in a Russian newspaper alleging his involvement in a physical altercation with a woman in Latvia. The Rangers denied the allegations, calling them an “intimidation tactic.”
What’s Next for Panarin and the Rangers?
With the matter settled out of court, the focus now returns to Panarin’s on-ice performance. However, the NHLPA and team management will likely face questions about player conduct, team culture, and supporting victims of sexual misconduct.
FAQs
- Was the woman involved in the case identified? No, 247Sports respects her privacy and does not identify alleged victims of sexual misconduct without their consent.
- Was Panarin disciplined by the NHL or Rangers? Neither the NHL nor the Rangers disclosed any disciplinary actions against Panarin.
- Has Panarin addressed the allegation publicly? No. Panarin and his agent declined to comment on the matter.
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