Nicole Zajac 'Shocked' By Explicit Comments Made By NHL Players

A Canadian woman, who was the subject of explicit conversations by National Hockey League players in a private group chat, said she was shocked to hear the news.

On Wednesday (May 6), the comments by NHL player Brendan Leipsic from the Washington Capitals in a private group chat that involved his brother Jeremey Leipsic, and Florida Panthers prospect Jack Rodewald, were published online. The conversation contained misogynistic messages about 22-year-old Nicole Zajac and other women, and exchanges of sexual conquests described in graphic terms. The leaked conversation also included a discussion about cocaine use.

Screenshots of the conversation were leaked and publish on social media, but it is still not known who did it.

Zajac said that she grew up with some of the players involved and they were her acquaintances. Leipsic and the other men involved commented on the physical appearances of the women, fat-shaming, and calling them derogatory names. Their subjects also including Vancouver forward Tanner Pearson’s wife and Edmonton captain Connor McDavid’s girlfriend. The men involved also called their teammates Garnet Hathaway and Nick Dowd "losers."

In an interview with Global News, Zajac said that she was shocked after learning about the conversation. Zajac has made her living by growing a following on social media platforms, dedicating her time advocating about body-positivity and empowering women by making them feel good about themselves. So when she saw her pictures with "oink, oink" as comments made by the N.H.L. players, she said she was offended.

Zajac said she has worked hard to get where she is right now, and during her lifetime, has received multiple hateful messages. "But for each hateful message, I probably get 1,000 positives," she added.

NHL. has condemned the degrading comments made by the players since the conversations were made public. "There is no place in our league for such statements, attitudes, and behavior, no matter the form," NHL said in a statement Wednesday. The body termed it inexcusable conduct and that that it will address the players involved accordingly. The Capitals released a statement that they will deal with the matters at hand internally.

Leipsic on Wednesday issued an apology for the comments, saying that he recognizes "how inappropriate and offensive these comments are." He also mentioned that his friend's Instagram account was hacked and the images from the conversations were leaked on other social media sites. He said he and the others involved believed that the group chat was private.

Leipsic has since deleted his Instagram account. His brother Jeremey has not made a formal statement yet. In a statement posted by the Washington Capitals on Friday, Leipsic has been placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.

Zajac said that two of the men involved in the group chat have reached out and apologized to her after the conversations were posted online.