Claude Giroux apologizes for ‘attempt at humor’ after reports of arrest

TORONTO – Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux appears to have confirmed what Ottawa Police refused to comment on Wednesday, following reports he was arrested in Ottawa for allegedly grabbing a male police officer’s buttocks.

The hockey star wrote that following an investigation, police determined “charges are not warranted.”

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“I have the utmost respect for law enforcement and apologize to the Ottawa Police Department and specifically the individual officer.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I have the utmost respect for law enforcement and apologize to the Ottawa Police Department and specifically the individual officer."

An Ottawa police spokesman said a man was taken into custody around 9:15 p.m. after a similar incident, but wouldn’t confirm it was Giroux on Wednesday. CBC reported Giroux spent the night in an Ottawa jail cell.

Flyers’ general manager Ron Hextall said Thursday he’d been in contact with Giroux and Ottawa police.

“Moving forward, we will deal with this incident internally and we will no longer publicly discuss this matter,” said Hextall.

With files from Laura Stone