THE STORY
In July 2021, the Montreal Canadiens selected defenseman Logan Mailloux with the 31st overall pick in the NHL Draft. Mailloux had previously renounced himself from the draft due to a 2020 incident in Sweden, where he was fined for sharing an explicit photo of a woman without her consent. The Canadiens' decision to draft him sparked widespread criticism, including from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who expressed deep disappointment over the choice. The team later announced that Mailloux would not attend training camp, opting to reassess his readiness to join the organization later in the year.
WHY IT MATTERS
The selection of Logan Mailloux remains a significant and controversial moment in NHL history, highlighting the league's handling of off-ice misconduct and raising questions about organizational values and accountability.