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Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux spent the night in an Ottawa jail according to a report from the Ottawa Sun. The alleged incident that reportedly landed the Flyers forward in handcuffs involved a police officer.
Although few details were immediately available, a source said Giroux was arrested for repeatedly grabbing the buttocks of a male police officer. Alcohol is believed to have been involved.
The incident occurred at a bar in the Byward Market the source said.
Ottawa Police have refused any comment on the incident. Police said they cannot comment unless charges are laid, but several sources did confirm to the Sun Giroux spent the night in jail.
Sources say he is expected to be released without any criminal charges.
So that obviously doesn’t sound good. Giroux is a native of Hearst, Ont., but lives in Ottawa in the offseason according to the Sun.
Shaheed Ratanshi apparently witnessed the incident and tweeted this at 9:19 p.m. ET Tuesday:
Claude giroux in the back of a cop car downtown ottawa ??
— Shaheed Ratanshi (@Shaheed09) July 2, 2014
As is always the case, with so few details currently, it’s hard to jump to any conclusions, but this doesn’t look good for Giroux, who was a Hart Trophy finalist this year.
Flyers general manager Ron Hextall offered a brief statement on behalf of the team:
"We are aware of reports surrounding Claude Giroux. Until we have more information, we will withhold making any further comment." -Hextall
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 2, 2014
More to come as details become available.