The Flames renounced their rights to the 19-year-old forward after Helsinki district court handed Ronni a one-year suspended sentence
The Calgary Flames on Tuesday renounced their rights to 2022 draft pick Topi Ronni after the 19-year-old prospect was found guilty of sexual assault charges in Finland.
A second-round pick, 59th overall, Ronni attended a pair of development camps, but had not been signed. District court in Helsinki handed Ronni a one-year suspended sentence on Tuesday, a decision he can appeal. The Flames announced: “Effective immediately, the Calgary Flames renounce the rights to unsigned draft pick Topi Ronni.”
Ronni was convicted of charges stemming from actions when he was 17 years old. In October, the Flames said they learned of a potential legal issue” after drafting him. His contract with Tappara Tampere, for which he had played for both the top-league squad and their junior team, was terminated after the court ruling.
In a statement posted on the team's website (translated into English) Ronni said: “Almost three years have passed since the incident and this time has been extremely difficult for everyone involved. The publicity surrounding the case has felt overwhelming and has touched not only myself but also my family and loved ones. Involuntarily, the matter has also been connected to the Tappara community, as well as the Calgary Flames, who (drafted) me, and many others. I want to apologize for this to all those involved.”
Ronni appeared on a trajectory to play for the Flames organization as early as next season. However, once charges were filed, he was not chosen for Finland’s team at the world junior championships and was suspended by Tappara, but allowed to return until it worked through the legal system.
