The NHL and NHLPA over the next several weeks "will visit with all 30 NHL clubs, educating players on the sensitive and relevant issues surrounding domestic violence, sexual harassment and sexual assault," according to Darren Dreger of TSN.ca. Sources said that the league has "hired outside professionals to deliver the messaging and manage the presentations which began with a stop in Buffalo on Monday" (TSN.ca, 1/5). USA TODAY's A.J. Perez notes the NHL and NHLPA "agreed to the training -- which is expected to be completed by the end of February -- last season." The league has "come under scrutiny in recent months after multiple players were entangled in sexual assault and domestic violence investigations." Sabres LW Evander Kane reportedly is "currently under investigation for an incident last month" in a Buffalo hotel room. Blackhawks RW Patrick Kane was "subject to a similar investigation over the summer," and former NHLer Slava Voynov "received jail time after a no-contest plea to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in July" (USA TODAY, 1/6).
