2024-01-24 17:51:29
The Toronto daily, citing two unidentified sources, reported Wednesday that the charges against them are linked to an alleged sexual assault that occurred in a hotel.
The actions were allegedly committed after a Hockey Canada gala, held in London in June 2018, during which the 2018 ECJ players were honored for their victory that year at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
Some players from this training are now playing in the National League.
None of these allegations have yet been proven in court.
London police said in a statement that they were unable to provide further details about this investigation but would contact the media when they had information to share.
A woman identified as EM in court documents filed a $3.35 million lawsuit in the spring of 2022, a case quickly settled out of court by Hockey Canada.
Subsequent revelations about an account used to settle this type of business at Hockey Canada, funded with Canadian minor hockey dues, led to an outcry against the national organization.
Return to the parliamentary hearings
Parliamentary hearings have called into question the governance and transparency of Hockey Canada.
Leaders of the organization testified before parliamentarians in June 2022 that they “strongly encouraged” without forcing the 19 players present at the London gala to speak with independent investigators.
Hockey Canada President and CEO Scott Smith then left the organization in October 2022, the same day the entire board of directors resigned.
Investigation reopened in 2022
London police ended a previous investigation in February 2019 without laying charges, but reopened that investigation in 2022.
An investigator wrote in court documents filed in an Ontario court in December 2022 that there was reason to believe a woman was sexually assaulted by five national team players.
The NHL also launched its own investigation. Commissioner Gary Bettman has repeatedly said that the conclusions of this investigation will be known shortly. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in June that the league’s investigation was complete and that the league was in contact with London police.
Daly said by email Wednesday that the NHL would issue a statement “if and when appropriate.”
Last November, Hockey Canada said the findings of the investigation into sexual assault allegations against some members of the 2018 Canada Junior Team were disputed.
All 2018 ECJ players remain suspended by Hockey Canada and are currently ineligible as players, coaches, officials or volunteers within programs sanctioned by the organization.
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