Statement of defence denies allegations from U of L hockey players

A statement of defence filed on behalf of the governors of the University of Lethbridge, the school’s sports director and the head coach of the women’s hockey team has denied allegations of harassment from four former players.

The statement, dated Oct. 5, claims there is “no merit to the allegations” and asks for a lawsuit filed by the former players to be struck, describing it as “scandalous, frivolous and vexatious and an abuse of process.”

The statement of claim, which was filed in August by Calgary civil litigator Diann Castle on behalf of Olivia Alexander, Alannah Jensen, Chelsea Kasprick and Brittney Sawyer, alleges the plaintiffs were subject to threatening and intimidating behaviour, name calling and unequal treatment. The players also allege the university “did not mitigate their damages by terminating the contract” of coach Michelle Janus.

The former players are seeking $1 million in general damages. Damages alleged by the players include physical, psychological and emotional harm, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks and anxiety.

The defendants deny the allegations in the statement of claim. They also deny that any of them “committed any legal wrong of any kind” and that the plaintiffs suffered none of the damages, injuries, losses or expenses, the statement of defence indicates.

The defendants state that the allegations investigated “were exclusively subject to the University’s internal policies and procedures,” and are outside the jurisdiction of the Court of Queen’s Bench.

“The University Defendants pray that this action be dismissed with costs,” the statement concludes.

Among the specific complaints included in the August statement of claim include allegations that players who told Janus and McInnes the team culture was affecting their mental health were told “life isn’t fair” and “you are mentally unstable.”

Another player alleged that after returning from shoulder surgery, she was told that if she wanted to keep playing she was not allowed to talk about or mention her shoulder. Some of the plaintiffs also alleged they were subject to the coach “throwing water bottles, breaking equipment and punching walls and doors.”

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

The plaintiffs played for the Pronghorns between 2014 and 2018. Janus has coached the Pronghorns women’s hockey team since July 2015.