Erik Karlsson's wife: I was harassed by teammate's fiancee while pregnant

Helene St. James | Detroit Free Press

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The Ottawa Senators are dealing with a volatile situation involving their star player, a personal tragedy and a teammate’s fiancée.

The Ottawa Citizen reports that Melinda Karlsson, wife of Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson, recently filed an order of protection against Monika Caryk, the fiancée of Senators forward Mike Hoffman. He and Karlsson have been teammates for seven years.

Melinda Karlsson is alleging a "campaign of harassment, against her unborn child," according to the Citizen. The harassment allegedly began in November. It's unclear why it began.

“Monika Caryk has uttered numerous statements wishing my unborn child dead,” Melinda Karlsson said in her sworn court statement, according to the Citizen. “She also uttered that she wished I was dead and that someone should ‘take out’ my husband’s legs to ‘end his career.’

“Monika Caryk has posted over 1,000 negative and derogatory statements about me as a professional.”

In November, the Karlssons announced on Instagram they were expecting their first child, a boy named Axel. In March, they announced the baby was stillborn.

The application came in May for a peace bond, a Canadian court order that's similar to a restraining order but is often issued to help prevent a person from committing a crime.

The Citizen reports Hoffman has denied the allegations. “There is a 150 percent chance that my fiancée Monika and I are not involved in any of the accusations that have been pursued (that are) coming our way.”

Erik Karlsson made an Instagram post in March thanking people for their support following Axel's death. “We feel very lucky to be Axels parents. Even though he was stillborn, we know we will hold him again one day under different circumstances and the joy he gave us will be with us forever.”

The Citizen also reported that Ottawa police had commenced a criminal investigation.

Reached by email Tuesday, an Ottawa police spokesperson told USA TODAY Sports that the department “does not confirm or deny investigations about named persons” unless charges are filed and wouldn’t confirm Melinda Karlsson had filed a complaint against Caryk.

The Senators also are investigating and issued a statement Tuesday that reads:

“We are investigating this matter in co-operation with the NHL and will take whatever steps are necessary to protect the safety and privacy of our players and their families.”

USA TODAY Sports contributed to this report.

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Check out our Red Wings Xtra app on Apple and Android!