Johnson was drafted No. 90 overall by the New Jersey Devils in the NHL Draft last year but has not signed with the team. (Bruce Bennett/ Getty Images)
A former Mr. Hockey from Michigan who plays for the Windsor Spitfires has been released on bail after being charged with two counts of sexual assault.
Ben Johnson, 18, of Calumet has been accused of assaulting two females, ages 16 and 20, on two different occasions in the washrooms of two Windsor bars.
According to the Windsor Star, the 20-year-old woman said she was attacked about three weeks ago in The Krooked Kilt while the 16-year-old said she was assaulted early Monday morning in Mynt, a downtown nightclub. Both establishments are in Windsor.
Johnson was arrested just before 4 a.m. Monday after an end-of-the season celebration at the nightclub.
Police became aware of the alleged attack after they were called to the Sexual Assault Treatment Center of Metropolitan campus of the Windsor Regional Hospital at about 2 a.m. Monday.
He was released Tuesday after posting a $30,000 bond.
"I think he feels fine. He's happy to be out and he's ready to go back with his family," Johnson's attorney, Patrick Ducharme, told the Windsor Star. "He's got to do a couple of things before he leaves. He'll take care of that quickly. I imagine he'll be back in Michigan by Wednesday."
Johnson, who has played for the Spitfires for the past two seasons, is under Ontario's legal drinking age of 19, as is one of the two alleged victims.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is investigating to see if the two drinking establishments broke any laws by serving alcohol to minors.
According to the commission, it is not against the law to allow people under the age of 19 from entering drinking establishments, although many voluntarily check identification at the door in an effort to turn away minors.
Neither bar has any liquor law violations on their records.
According to the terms of his bail, Johnson must leave Essex County by Friday and not return except for court appearances and appointments with his attorney.
Johnson was drafted No. 90 overall by the New Jersey Devils in the NHL Draft last year but has not signed with the team.
Johnson played for Calumet High School in the Upper Peninsula and was the team's leading scorer with 59 points as a sophomore. In his junior year, Johnson was named Michigan's Mr. Hockey and also skated for Little Caesars' U-18 team.
The Windsor Spitfires signed Johnson to an Ontario Hockey League contract in May 2011. The Spitfires are a junior hockey team.
In 2011-12, he played in all 68 games for the Spitfires and finished with 18 goals, 20 assists and 44 penalty minutes.
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