CALGARY, Alberta - Today, the London Police Service announced serious criminal charges against five former National Junior Team players pertaining to an alleged sexual assault in 2018.
Hockey Canada has cooperated fully with the London Police Service throughout its investigation and we are committed to continuing to support the legal process.
In November 2023, it was announced that a notice of appeal was filed in response to the final adjudicative report by an independent panel that held a hearing with a view to determine whether certain members of the 2018 National Junior Team breached Hockey Canada’s code of conduct, and if so, what sanctions should be imposed against those players.
Pending the completion of the appeal process, all players from the 2018 National Junior Team remain suspended by Hockey Canada, and are ineligible to play, coach, officiate or volunteer with Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.
The appeal process remains ongoing and out of respect for it and the legal process, we are unable to comment further at this time.
“Hockey Canada recognizes that in the past we have been too slow to act and that in order to deliver the meaningful change that Canadians expect of us, we must work diligently and urgently to ensure that we are putting in place the necessary measures to regain their trust, and provide all participants with a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment on and off the ice,” said Katherine Henderson, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada.
Since last year, Hockey Canada has implemented significant measures to improve the culture of the sport and the safety of participants, including:
We are committed to being transparent and accountable to Canadians as we drive these important changes forward and empower victims of maltreatment to feel comfortable to bring forward their complaints in a process that is victim-centred and trauma-informed.
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