Brandon Prust apologizes for his comments and departs social media

Former NHL enforcer Brandon Prust found himself in the headlines this week for all of the wrong reasons after he tweeted "I hope they force u into the sex trade," in an exchange with a woman over government regulation.

He's now issued an apology for his remarks, and stated that he'll be taking a break from social media.

His statement reads in part, "I do not condone or encourage violence against women. I deeply respect women. I also will be working to better understand public health measures."

"Thank you to everyone who has played a role in opening my eyes to the journey I need to embark on to be a better community member," the statement continues."

Elizabeth MacAulay, the woman he directed his sex trade comment at, subsequently announced that she'd be making a donation: 

“I’m going to make a donation to the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking,” she wrote on her Twitter account. “This is not a matter to joke about. I’m sorry to sex trafficking victims who had a joke and a crude comparison made about a horrific issue and reality of too many people in the world today.”

The 37 year old Prust was drafted in the third round, 70th overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, and suited up for the Flames, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks over the course of his career.