Canada’s 2003 men’s world hockey junior team is under investigation for alleged group sexual assault, after similar accusations were made against the 2018 world hockey junior team.
The national governing body of the sport said that it immediately contacted Sport Canada about the allegations after being contacted by TSN. It said the Halifax Regional Police was also contacted, as Halifax was the co-host city of the 2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship.
“Hockey Canada is committed to bringing an end to the culture of silence in hockey,” the organization said. “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.”
Two weeks prior to being contacted by TSN, Hockey Canada said its staff had “heard a rumour about ’something bad at the 2003 World Juniors’ but were given no details of any sort.” In response, the organization reported to Sport Canada and hired a third-party investigator to dig up more information.
“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,” Hockey Canada said, adding that it will “cooperate with and support the authorities in every way we can.”
TSN has also spoken to Conservative MP John Nater about the alleged incident, and he “is in possession of the same or similar information,” according to Hockey Canada’s statement.
“I expect Hockey Canada to fully cooperate and support any investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse within the organization,” he said.
On June 19, 2018, a woman’s stepfather told Hockey Canada that she was allegedly sexually assaulted by eight players of the year’s world junior team while intoxicated the previous night at an event in London, Ontario. Hockey Canada said it informed London police, which opened an investigation. The organization subsequently launched its own third-party investigation, reported The Canadian Press.
The incident came to light after the woman sued Hockey Canada for $3.55 million, and the organization settled the lawsuit out of court for an undisclosed amount.
The allegations against the players were never proven in court.
Last month, Sport Minister Pascale St-Onge announced a freeze on Hockey Canada’s federal funding until the organization discloses recommendations made by a third-party law firm and agrees to become a signatory to the Office of the Integrity Commissioner—a new government agency with the power to investigate abuse complaints and levy sanctions.
