Teen hockey players arrested for sexual assault following hazing incident: Manitoba RCMP
Three teenagers were arrested in connection with a pair of alleged hazing incidents on a Manitoba hockey team, police say.
The three teens, all 17 years old, were arrested on April 15 for sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault, and forcible confinement, while one was arrested for assault and sexual assault.
None of the allegations have been proven in court, and charges have not been officially laid.
RCMP said the arrests stem from two separate incidents of hazing involving five male victims, aged 15 and 16, who were rookies on the hockey team from the Pembina Valley area.
Police say the incidents happened in November 2023 and January 2024 at a Winnipeg hotel while the team was in the city to play in hockey tournaments.
The three were released on an undertaking, and are scheduled to appear in court in Winnipeg on June 10.
‘We took them very seriously’: RCMP
Staff Sergeant Richard Sherring with the RCMP’s major crimes unit said Mounties began their investigation in February.
“The incident was reported to the Pembina Valley RCMP by a high school principal after it was brought forward to her by one of the coaching staff,” he said.
Sherring said hazing incidents are concerning, and teenagers need to understand that their actions could have serious consequences.
“At the end of the day, every person participating in sports should be able to do so in a safe environment,” he said. “When these allegations were brought forward to us, we took them very seriously and investigated them.”
Sherring said RCMP believes no other charges are expected in this incident.
In a statement, the Manitoba High School Athletic Association said it was aware of the arrests and its primary concern is the health and safety of student-athletes.
“The MHSAA is monitoring the situation and remains committed to providing support to the Prairie Spirit School Division, Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine, and Prairie Rose School Division as they work through this matter,” a statement from the organization reads.
“The allegations are deeply troubling, and we take them very seriously. Given that this remains a legal matter, the MHSAA will refrain from further comments at this time.”
Hockey Manitoba also issued a statement, saying it takes the allegations “very seriously.”
“The alleged behavior has no place in the game of hockey,” said Peter Woods, executive director of Hockey Manitoba, in a statement.
Hockey Manitoba added it had no further comment on the incident as the matter is in the hands of police.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Baby and grandparents killed in wrong-way crash involving police on Ontario's Highway 401
An infant and the child's grandparents – aged 55 and 60 – were all killed when a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont. caused a crash involving at least six vehicles, the Special Investigations Unit says. The driver of the suspect vehicle also died.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
This is how many dentists have actually signed up for Canada's new free dental program
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a east London suburb early Tuesday, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring four others, authorities said.
Police searching for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S., residents asked to shelter in place
Residents in the area of Gaston Road in Dartmouth, N.S., are being asked to shelter in place as police search for an armed suspect.