The NHL is clearing Canadiens defenseman Logan Mailos

The NHL says it has cleared Logan Maillot to participate after the Montreal Canadiens recalled the defenseman ahead of Tuesday's season finale.

Mailloux, 21, is expected to make his NHL debut against the Detroit Red Wings after spending the entire season with the Laval Rockets of the American Hockey League.

Windsor, Ont. In 2020, Swedish authorities fined the native after pleading guilty to two counts of sharing a photo of a woman performing a sexual act without her consent.

Montreal, under then-general manager Marc Bergevin, was heavily criticized for drafting Mailloux with the 31st pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft despite the blueliner's public plea not to be selected.

Mailu, who was playing for Swedish team SK Lejon at the time of the incident, previously said he “deeply regrets” taking the picture and then sharing it with his team-mates “to shock them”.

The Ontario Hockey League suspended Mailloux indefinitely in September 2021 for violating the league's expectations of appropriate player conduct. Mailloux was reinstated and rejoined the London Knights in January 2022.

He had 14 goals and 33 assists in 70 AHL games and earned an All-Star selection this season.

“We have met with Logan Maylow several times over the last 8-10 months. We are confident that he recognizes the seriousness of his past behavior and is committed to making better and more responsible decisions in the future,” the NHL said. in a statement on Tuesday. “He's cleared to play in a National Hockey League game.”

On Tuesday, the Canadiens signed six-foot-two, 209-pound forward Luke Tuch to a two-year, entry-level contract.

The 22-year-old had 10 goals and 20 assists in 39 games with the Boston University Terriers this season in the NCAA.

The Canadiens selected Tuch in the second round, 47th overall, in the 2020 NHL Draft. He will finish the season in the AHL.

– This Canadian Press report was first published on April 16, 2024.