Two of Canada’s men’s world junior hockey teams are being investigated by police after alleged gang sexual assaults in 2003 and 2018.
Hockey Canada says it became aware of the 2003 allegations after TSN contacted it for comment. It is the second sexual assault allegation involving Canada’s world junior hockey team to become public in a two-month period.
The national sports body said it immediately contacted Sport Canada and Halifax Regional Police about the allegations after the reporter’s email. Halifax was the co-host city of the 2003 World Junior Hockey Championship.
“Hockey Canada is committed to ending the culture of silence in hockey,” the organization’s statement said. “That’s why we’re publicly asking anyone with knowledge of this incident to come forward to police, and we’re being transparent about how we learned of this alleged assault and the steps we’re taking to address it.”
Halifax Regional Police confirmed Friday that they received a complaint last night related to an alleged sexual assault that occurred in Halifax in 2003 and said they will conduct an investigation.
“It is our practice not to provide information about individuals involved in investigations unless charges and grand jury have been filed in court. We take all matters of this nature very seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation.”
London police say they reviewed their handling of the initial 2018 investigation and would reopen this case.
Hockey Canada said in its statement that its staff members heard a rumor two weeks ago about “something wrong at the 2003 world juniors,” but were unable to get any details until contacted by TSN on Thursday.
Sport Canada did not immediately return a request for comment from The Canadian Press. According to Hockey Canada, Conservative MP John Nater also had the details of the historic allegations. He also was not immediately available for comment.
“Hockey Canada will cooperate and support the authorities in any way we can, and we once again urge anyone with relevant information regarding this alleged incident to contact Halifax police immediately,” Hockey Canada said.
Hockey Canada statement.
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—@HockeyCanada
Canada lost to Russia 3-2 in the final of the 2003 World Junior Hockey Championship. Twenty-one players on Canada’s roster in that tournament went on to play in the NHL.
Hockey Canada has already halted funding from the federal government and corporate sponsors following allegations of sexual assault involving eight members of the 2018 men’s junior hockey team. The allegations came to light after the media reported that Hockey Canada paid an undisclosed settlement to the alleged victim after she sued the organization, the Canadian Hockey League and the eight unnamed players.
The woman was seeking $3.55 million.
LOOK | Hockey Canada ends use of reserve fund to settle sexual assault claims:
Hockey Canada says it will no longer use equity funds to settle sexual assault claims
Hockey Canada said in a statement Wednesday that its National Equity Fund will no longer be used to resolve sexual assault claims.
The Canadian Press reported Monday that Hockey Canada has maintained a fund that relies on minor hockey membership fees to pay for uninsured liabilities, including sexual abuse claims. Hockey Canada confirmed Tuesday that the fund exists, but would no longer be used to pay claims for sexual assault allegations.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday there needs to be a “real trial” 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 a settlement extrajudicial
The Canadian heritage standing committee is scheduled to continue its review of Hockey Canada’s handling of the 2018 allegations on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge is scheduled to testify Tuesday along with a Sport Canada official. Hockey Canada said it told Sport Canada about the 2018 allegations at the time, but St-Onge was not yet serving as sports minister and only learned about it when the story originally broke in May.
Glen McCurdie, Hockey Canada’s former vice-president of insurance and risk assessment, is scheduled to testify Wednesday. It was her affidavit in an unrelated lawsuit that revealed the existence of the fund that, among other things, covered sexual misconduct claims.