Calgary Flames prospect Topi Ronni facing rape charges in Finland

Content warning: This article discusses an allegation of sexual assault.

Calgary Flames prospect Topi Ronni is facing rape charges in Finland and has taken a leave of absence from his Finnish league club.

Ronni, 19, has appeared in 12 games in the Finnish Liiga this season with Tappara Tampere. The club shared the news of Ronni’s situation on its official website on Thursday.

The alleged incident occurred while Ronni was underage. The Flames selected Ronni in the second round (No. 59 overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, after he had already turned 18.

“Today, I have received a summons application related to the matter,” Ronni said in a statement (translated from Finnish). “The last two or so years have been hard waiting for the matter to progress. I trust that the related course of events will be clarified in connection with the trial. For the time being, I’m out of the team’s activities and I’m focusing on handling the matter.”

Ronni was one of just three players drafted by the Flames in 2022, and the only one selected in the first four rounds. Parker Bell (fifth round, No. 155 overall) and Cade Littler (seventh round, No. 219 overall) rounded out the draft class.

“We take the suspected crime seriously, but we are waiting for the court hearing and will evaluate the player’s position afterwards. This is also about labor law,” Tappara general manager Mika Aro said in a statement (also translated from Finnish).

According to CapFriendly, Ronni will remain on the Flames’ reserve list until June 1, 2026. The Flames have not signed Ronni to an entry-level contract (he signed a one-year extension with Tappara back in May).

Ronni represented Finland at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship and has been projected by many analysts as a top candidate to play at the 2024 tournament in Sweden.