Trouble Brewing Off The Ice: Rangers’ Panarin Accused of Sexual Assault Per Report, Reaches Settlement

New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin is embroiled in controversy after a former team employee accused him of sexual assault during a 2023 road trip, leading to confidential settlements with both the player and the team’s parent company, Madison Square Garden Sports (MSG) .

Allegations and Settlement Details

The incident allegedly occurred in December 2023 during a team gathering at a hotel. According to multiple sources, Panarin took the woman’s phone and told her she could only retrieve it by coming to his hotel room. When she went to his room, he allegedly pinned her down on the bed before she pushed him off, grabbed her phone, and left . The woman did not immediately report the incident to law enforcement but informed the Rangers months later during a separate investigation into her sharing anti-anxiety medication with a player .

In August 2024, she left the organization after reaching settlements with Panarin and MSG, both of which included non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and no admission of wrongdoing . The NHL stated that the Rangers conducted an independent investigation and considered the matter closed . 

Team and League Response

MSG and the woman issued identical statements: The matter has been resolved.Panarin and his agent did not respond to requests for comment . Notably, the Rangers named Panarin team MVP just before this report surfaced, adding to the controversy .

Past Controversies

This is not Panarin’s first off-ice issue. In 2021, he took a leave of absence after a Russian newspaper accused him of assaulting a woman in Latvia—a claim the Rangers dismissed as politically motivated .

Conclusion

The case highlights ongoing concerns about accountability in professional sports. While the legal matter is settled, the allegations cast a shadow over Panarin’s reputation and the Rangers’ handling of the situation. For now, the NHL and team have moved on, but the story raises questions about transparency and athlete conduct .