Halifax
Members of Canada's 2003 men's world junior hockey championship team are being investigated for a group sexual assault.
Hockey Canada said in a statement on Friday that it learned of the alleged incident after being contacted by TSN seeking comment on the alleged assault. It's the second allegation of sexual assault involving Canada's world junior hockey team to become public in a span of two months.
The national sports body said that following the reporter's email it immediately contacted Sport Canada as well as Halifax Regional Police about the allegations. Halifax was the co-host city of the 2003 world junior hockey championship.
"Hockey Canada is committed to bringing an end to the culture of silence in hockey," reads the organization's statement. "That is why we are publicly calling for anyone with knowledge of this incident to come forward to police, and we are being transparent in how we learned of this alleged assault and the steps we are taking to address it."
Halifax Regional Police and Sport Canada did not immediately return requests for comment from The Canadian Press.
"We believe the alleged incident from 2003 should be investigated by the authorities, and we urge the police to open an investigation into this disturbing situation," said Hockey Canada's statement. "Hockey Canada will co-operate with and support the authorities in every way we can, and we once again urge anyone who may have relevant information about this alleged incident to contact Halifax police immediately."
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 a $3.55 million settlement to the victim after she sued the organization, the Canadian Hockey League, and the eight unnamed players.
The Canadian Press reported on Monday that Hockey Canada has maintained a fund that draws on minor hockey membership fees to pay for uninsured liabilities, including sexual abuse claims. Hockey Canada confirmed on Tuesday that fund exists but it would no longer be used to pay out claims over sexual assault allegations.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that there needs to be a "real reckoning" at Hockey Canada as the organization continues to deal with the fallout related to its handling of the alleged sexual assault in June 2018 and out-of-court settlement.
Banner image: Hockey Canada says members of its 2003 men's world junior hockey championship team is being investigated for a group sexual assault. Hockey Canada logo at an event in Toronto on November 1, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2022.
