Hockey’s umbrella organization has already faced criticism this year for how it handled another similar incident in 2018, which ended in an out-of-court settlement. Its officials said they learned about the older incident on Thursday when they were contacted by a journalist.
The reporter told Hockey Canada that he spoke to witnesses who gave him an accurate account of the attack from the 2003 WC in Halifax, Canada. The Canadian union said it learned “disturbing details” from the journalist and that it immediately contacted local police.
“The alleged incident from 2003 should be investigated by the authorities and we urge the police to open an investigation. Hockey Canada will cooperate and support the authorities as much as possible and we ask that anyone who may have relevant information regarding this incident contact the police immediately in Halifax,” Hockey Canada said.
In April of this year, a woman filed a lawsuit saying she was sexually assaulted in 2018 by eight Canadian under-20 players in a hotel room after a hockey gala in London, Ontario. Hockey Canada reached an out-of-court settlement with the woman in May, drawing criticism from the public, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Canadian federal government subsequently froze financial support for the union, and some sponsors also stopped cooperation with the organization.
