The New Jersey Devils have started the process of ending Ben Johnson’s contract after he was found guilty of sexual assault on Thursday.

The NHL team released the following statement regarding the minor-league forward and former Windsor Spitfire.

“The club was informed of Windsor Superior Court Justice Kirk Munroe’s ruling against Mr. Johnson. Based on the ruling, the club has initiated the process required to terminate Mr. Johnson’s Standard Player’s Contract.”

Johnson, 22, was convicted of sexually assaulting a girl, who was 16 at the time, at the former Mynt Nightclub in Windsor on March 17, 2013.

He was released from custody Thursday night and is back in court Friday morning for a bail hearing.