New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin and Madison Square Garden Sports paid settlements to a former employee who alleged he sexually assaulted her during a team road trip in 2023, according to The Athletic’s Katie Strang.

The reported incident occurred in December 2023 during a Rangers road trip. According to the former employee, Panarin took her phone during a postgame gathering attended by other players and staff.

She said he told her she would have to go to his hotel room to retrieve it. Once there, she alleged Panarin pinned her to the bed before she was able to push him away and leave.

In August, the employee left the organisation after reaching multiple agreements that included non-disclosure terms and no admission of wrongdoing. She reportedly settled separately with both Panarin and MSG Sports.

The woman did not report the incident to law enforcement. She first informed the team months later, during an internal investigation into a separate matter—her sharing of prescribed anti-anxiety medication with a player. Following that disclosure, the team placed her on paid leave.

During her leave, an MSG Sports executive reportedly advised employees not to discuss the situation. Both the woman and an MSG Sports spokesperson declined to elaborate to The Athletic, stating only that “the matter has been resolved.”

Panarin and his agent did not respond to requests for comment. The NHL, in a statement to Strang, said: “The Club retained an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation, which the League was fully apprised of. We consider the matter closed.”

Panarin had previously taken a leave of absence in 2021 following a Russian media report that he was involved in an alleged physical altercation in Latvia—claims the Rangers described as a politically motivated smear.

On Wednesday, the Rangers named Panarin the team’s MVP for the current season. The club, which is out of playoff contention, will conclude its season at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.