Andreas Lilja (born July 13, 1975 in Helsingborg,
Sweden) is a professional ice hockey defenceman who
currently plays for the Detroit Red Wings of the
NHL.
Lilja was drafted in the 2nd round, 54th overall by
the Los Angeles Kings in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
In 2005, Lilja, and fellow Swedish hockey players
Henrik Tallinder and Kristian Huselius were
investigated on suspicion of sexual exploitation. In
March of 2005, all three players were suspended from
the Swedish national team for one year, with
Huselius and Tallinder being released by Swedish
club Linköping and Lilja being suspended by Swedish
club Mora for the rest of the season.
Initially police had dropped their investigation two
days after the initial charges on February 11, 2005
when a 22-year-old woman accused the trio of raping
her February 9, because of a lack of evidence.
However, a special prosecutor reopened the case in
March, leading to the suspensions. Lilja and the
others were cleared in June of that year after a
special prosecutor ruled there was no evidence they
forced the woman to have sex.
