2 world junior hockey teams accused of group assaults

Hockey Canada committed to ending ‘culture of silence’

Two of Canada’s men’s world junior hockey teams are being investigated by police following alleged group sexual assaults in 2003 and 2018.

Halifax Regional Police confirmed on Friday that they are investigating a historic assault at the world junior hockey championships in 2003 and shortly afterwards the force in London, Ont., announced that it is reopening its investigation into an incident involving members of the 2018 team.

The two police investigations are the latest developments in an ongoing crisis that has rocked Hockey Canada and led to its funding being suspended by the federal government and several major corporate sponsors.

“Hockey Canada is committed to bringing an end to the culture of silence in hockey,” said a statement issued by the national sport organization on Friday.

Hockey Canada said it became aware of the 2003 incident after it was contacted by TSN on Thursday seeking comment on the alleged assault. The national sport organization said it immediately contacted Sport Canada and Halifax police, as the city was the co-host of the international tournament that year.

“We take all matters of this nature very seriously and will be conducting a thorough investigation,” said Halifax Cst. John MacLeod in a statement.

Hockey Canada said that two weeks earlier members of its staff heard a rumour about “something bad at the 2003 world juniors” but were not able to get any details until it was contacted by TSN on Thursday.

MP John Nater said he was contacted by a person earlier this week with information regarding an alleged sexual assault involving members of the 2003 national junior team.

“I have forwarded the information they provided to the Halifax police where the alleged incident took place and encouraged them to contact police directly,” said Nater. “I expect Hockey Canada to fully co-operate and support any investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse within the organization.”

Sport Canada did not immediately return requests for comment from The Canadian Press.

Canada lost to Russia 3-2 in the final of the 2003 world junior hockey championship. Twenty-one players from Canada’s roster at that tournament went on to play in the NHL.

Hockey Canada has already had funding from the federal government and corporate sponsors paused following allegations of a sexual assault involving eight members of the 2018 men’s junior hockey team.

Those allegations came to light after it was reported by media that Hockey Canada paid out an undisclosed settlement to the complainant after she sued the organization, the Canadian Hockey League, and the eight unnamed players. The woman was seeking $3.55 million.

On Wednesday, London police chief Steve Williams ordered a review of that force’s initial sexual assault investigation in June 2018. He said on Friday that, following the review, London police would re-open their investigation.

“Through this review, they have determined there are further investigative opportunities available to us, and as such, the criminal investigation has been re-opened to allow those opportunities to be explored,” said Williams.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that there needs to be a “real reckoning” at Hockey Canada.