Former IndyCar driver Zach Claman DeMelo has leveled allegations against Daniel Sprong, saying he was assaulted at a nightclub by the Detroit Red Wings player.
The 25-year-old Montreal native took to social media to tell his story. On Instagram, he said he was abused by Sprong during the Detroit Grand Prix weekend in early June.
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“During Grand Prix weekend, I was attacked at a nightclub by NHL and Detroit Red Wings player Daniel Sprong. He grabbed my neck and pushed me against the wall. We got separated after that fight,” wrote the man who competed in ten IndyCar races in 2017 and 2018.
“Just when I thought it was over, Daniel came back and punched me in the face while I was helpless. […] The work the dentist had to do was painful and is still ongoing. I also suffered a concussion that I’ve been struggling with for the past few weeks.
The images shared by DeMelo are quite impressive. His teeth were badly chipped from the punch Sprong allegedly delivered. He also had scratch marks on his neck.
Screenshot of Zach Claman DeMelo’s Instagram account (zachcd13)
“I just want to draw attention to this situation as nobody has the right to act like this, especially an athlete of Daniel’s caliber,” DeMelo continued. We have to hold ourselves to the highest standards of behavior and that he’s doing that is very disappointing. For legal reasons, I can’t say more about it at this point in time.
The pilot did not say if he plans to sue the 26-year-old forward, a former Charlottetown Islanders. After enjoying a career-best season — 21 goals and 46 points — with the Seattle Kraken in 2022-23, Sprong agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal with the Wings this summer.
Screenshot of Zach Claman DeMelo’s Instagram account (zachcd13)
Screenshot of Zach Claman DeMelo’s Instagram account (zachcd13)