Prospect Logan Mailloux technically can't renounce NHL draft or remove himself from it

Since going public with criminal charges he faced in Sweden when he was 17 years old, the now 18 year old defenceman Logan Mailloux, who was expected to go in the second or third round of the upcoming NHL draft, has announced he is renouncing the upcoming selection for 2021. However, according to one report, he can't really do that.

"As much as Logan Mailloux may want to renounce himself from the draft, it's important to note, players do not have the ability to do that," said TSN's Gino Reda. "According to a league source, 'There is no opting in our opting out. If he meets the standards in the CBA, he is eligible for selection'."

What that means is if a team decides they want Mailloux's rights, whether they intend to have him return to the OHL next season or not, they can do so regardless of what Mailloux wants. He has asked team's not to draft him, but there's no guarantee it won't happen.

"Being drafted into the NHL is an honour and a privilege that no one takes lightly," said Mailloux on his Twitter account Tuesday. "The NHL draft should be one of the most exciting landmarks in a player's career, and given the circumstances I don't feel I've demonstrated strong enough maturity or character to earn that privilege in the 2021 draft."


"And that is why I think it is best to renounce myself from the 2021 draft and ask that no one select me this upcoming weekend."

Mailloux was charged with taking and sharing a graphic photo after a consensual sexual encounter. Mailloux was 17 when the offense is alleged to have occurred in Skelleftea, Sweden in early November of last year. He was on loan from the London Knights to a team playing in the Hockeyettan due to the shutdown of the OHL at the time. The girl involved in the encounter was 18. Mailloux gave Daily Faceoff permission to publish details of the case, which is required as he was a minor when the charges were laid. Mailloux allegedly photographed the girl while involved in the act of oral sex. The next morning, he showed the photo to his teammates, although he says the girl was unidentifiable. However, a police report states that when Mailloux shared the photo of the encounter with teammates through a Snapchat group, he also shared a screenshot of the girl's profile, which showed her name, age and other personal details. While the incident was a well-known one in Sweden, it was not until his recent interview with Daily Faceoff that anyone outside the inner hockey circles in North America was aware of the charges.

The London Knights have already said Mailloux will be welcomed back to the team next season saying it appears the situation has been resolved. In his interview with Daily Faceoff, Mailloux was very apologetic, calling what he did a "stupid, childish mistake."