Some hockey fans in Nova Scotia said their excitement for this year’s world junior hockey championship was accompanied by heated conversations about how to handle allegations of assault. sex work of Canadian hockey.
Halifax hockey dad Kyle Wagner says the scandals inside Canadian hockey sparked discussions in his eight-year-old son’s locker room ahead of this year’s world junior tournament co-hosted by Halifax and Moncton, NB.
“And I’m sure it will continue to be a solid conversation for the next few years,” he said in an interview Thursday while on his way home from his son’s hockey tournament in New York. Dartmouth, NS
The national hockey governing body has been embroiled in controversy for months after it was revealed in May that it had settled a lawsuit against a woman who alleges she was molested by several members of the youth team. gender 2018 sexual assault. Then in July, Halifax Regional Police began investigating allegations that members of the
The 2003 team sexually assaulted a woman and filmed the assault during that year’s tournament.
No charges were proven in court and no charges were brought.
Hockey Canada says 2018 sexual assault investigation complete, report to keep private
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Canadian hockey executives revealed in July that they had paid $8.9 million in sexual abuse settlements since 1989, excluding the 2018 settlement. launched a new board of directors on December 17 and is still looking for a new chief executive officer. The board of directors had previously resigned and chairman and CEO Scott Smith was ousted due to the controversy.
“I think it happened a little late,” Wagner said of the recent changes in the Canadian Hockey board, “but when something serious like that happens, I think you need to clean the house. and start all over again.”
Wagner said his family has a long tradition of watching the games kick off on Gift Day, adding that his family is excited to come together to cheer on Canada again this year. now. However, Wagner said that he and his family talked about the controversy and the “terrible” things that had happened in the hockey world.
“An eight-year-old is very smart, because my son knows that this year hockey will be controversial, and although he doesn’t know many details he knows that some things have been done wrong. left and horrible,” he said.
It’s important for hockey families, Wagner said, to take notice of these major problems and hold the national sport’s organization accountable to “make sure something like this doesn’t happen again,” and allegations of sexual violence are properly investigated.
Maggie Archibald, a lifelong hockey fan who has tickets to two upcoming youth games at the Scotiabank Center in Halifax, said in an interview Thursday that although she She’s worried about scandals, but they won’t stop her from supporting the Canadian team.
“I have some tickets to two games, so I’m really looking forward to it and I hope to see Canada succeed despite the ongoing scandal,” she said.
With the newly replaced Canadian Hockey board, there is a “very high expectation” that the organization will make significant improvements, Archibald said.
“I hope this new board changes things and gets things right,” she said. “I think that will help change the negative view that I think a lot of people have right now with Canadian Hockey.”
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said the board and chief executive’s resignations are overdue. In an interview on Thursday, he said the “significant” leadership change has “cleared the way for the mayor of Moncton and I to focus on hockey and the benefits it brings to our two cities. we.”
Savage said the league is expected to bring in “tens of millions of dollars” in revenue for the city, adding that he expects hotels and restaurants to fill up during the often slow tourist season. sluggish.
“I’m happy to be in some games. I’m happy to see Halifax and Moncton on national television; I know both cities will shine.”
he say.
“It’s been a tough period for Hockey Canada, but I think it’s part of a new day for hockey.”
On Thursday, it was revealed that the government of New Brunswick had included a “good conduct” clause in its sponsorship deal with Hockey Canada for the tournament. The contract stipulates that for the duration of the event, all representatives of Hockey Canada “must be of good character and not engage in unethical conduct.”
New Brunswick has pledged $1.25 million for the event, but the province’s Regional Development Corporation contract says the government can “require the refund of all unused funding” if it happens. commit unethical or illegal behavior.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on December 23, 2022.
© 2022 Canadian Press
