Detroit Red Wings forward Daniel Sprong accused of assault

This isn’t the type of news you’d like to hear. IndyCar driver Zach Claman DeMelo accuses Detroit Red Wings forward Daniel Sprong of assault.

The incident in question reportedly occurred in a Detroit nightclub during the week of the Detroit Grand Prix in early June. DeMelo also claims there had been more than one incident between the two. DeMelo took to Instagram to describe the incident in detail.

"“During Grand Prix weekend, I was assaulted at a night club by @DetroitRedWings @NHLplayer @sprong11,” Demelo posted. “He grabbed my neck and pinned me on a wall, we were separated during that scuffle.After when I believed the situation was over Daniel came back and sucker punched me in the face while I was defenceless.. The photos in the slide before is the after math of the incident. The dental work needed was brutal and I’m still not finished. I also sustained a concussion that I’ve been dealing with over the past few weeks.”“I just wanted to bring attention to this situation as no one has the right to act this way, especially an athlete of Daniel’s caliber,” DeMelo continued. “We must hold our self to the highest standards and for him to do this is beyond disappointing. Due to legal reasons I cannot say more at this time.”"

Detroit Red Wings forward Daniel Sprong accused of assault.

Before we overreact, let’s keep in mind we have yet to hear from Sprong or the Detroit Red Wings on the matter. In the quote from DeMelo, he mentions, ‘Due to legal reasons, I cannot say more at this time,’ which suggests this won’t be the end of this.

If proven in court, this is beyond disappointing and unacceptable. I will say this, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman seems like a zero-tolerance leader, and if true, there will be no place for Sprong in Detroit.

Sprong, 26, signed a one-year, $2-million deal with the Detroit Red Wings this summer as an unrestricted free agent. He’s coming off a career year with the Seattle Kraken, where he totaled 21 goals and 46 points over 66 games playing on the fourth line and contributing on the power play. He brings a much-needed scoring punch to Detroit’s bottom six and appeared to be a brilliant off-season addition.