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| Canada Hockey |
In a shocking twist of events, a major breakthrough has surfaced in the ongoing investigation into the Hockey Canada scandal. The Sports Network's Rick Westhead recently reported that five members of the 2018 world junior hockey team have been instructed to surrender to the authorities in London, Ontario, facing potential charges of sexual assault¹.
The Globe and Mail, relying on undisclosed sources, first brought this unsettling news to light¹. Although formal charges have not been filed, the players are given a specific timeframe to present themselves at the London police headquarters¹.
NHL enthusiasts quickly caught wind of this development, sparking a flurry of reactions across the hockey community. One fan raised suspicions about the timing, stating, "Dube and Hart timing seems incredibly suspicious now"¹. Another fan, reflecting on the broader issue of sexual misconduct within Canadian hockey, expressed, "Anyone who helped cover this up should also be charged. This culture of sexual deviance in hockey made me leave hockey in Junior B, not to even watch it for a decade"¹.
In a related turn of events, the Philadelphia Flyers' General Manager, Daniel Briere, disclosed that goaltender Carter Hart has taken an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons, leaving fans speculating about the impact on the team¹. Hart, 25, has showcased his prowess with 12 wins in 26 starts this season, maintaining a 2.80 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage¹.
This scandal has sent shockwaves through the foundations of Hockey Canada, prompting outrage over the organization's handling of sexual assault claims². The controversy began in May when Hockey Canada reached a settlement with a young woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted in London, Ontario, in 2018 by eight Canadian Hockey League (CHL) hockey players, including members of the World Junior team².
Hockey Canada's CFO, Brian Cairo, defended the organization's decision to settle, stating it was "the right thing to do" for the complainant and the organization². The CHL made it clear that if players are found guilty of breaking the law, they will not only face criminal penalties but also severe sanctions from the league².
With calls for the resignation of Hockey Canada's leaders growing louder, the organization's president and COO, Scott Smith, remains steadfast, stating he won't step down unless directed by the board of directors². In the past two months, Sport Canada, a branch of the federal Department of Heritage, has frozen its funding to Hockey Canada².
As this story continues to develop, stay tuned for further updates as more information becomes available.
Source:
(1) "Dube & Hart timing seems incredibly suspicious now ... - Sportskeeda. https://www.sportskeeda.com/ice-hockey/news-dube-hart-timing-seems-incredibly-suspicious-now-nhl-fans-shocked-major-breakthrough-emerges-hockey-canada-scandal-investigation.
(2) Crisis on ice: What you need to know about the Hockey Canada scandal .... https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-crisis-parliamentary-committee-1.6535248.
(3) Hockey Canada scandal: Decision reached on sanctions regarding ... - MSN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/hockey-canada-scandal-decision-reached-on-sanctions-regarding-sexual-assault-allegations-involving-members-of-the-2018-world-juniors-team/ar-AA1jWPN5.
(4) Hockey Canada scandal, explained: Five members of 2018 World Juniors .... https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/news/hockey-canada-scandal-sexual-assault-2018-world-juniors-team/hhc54xdapaqx5l29kuimp09g.
(5) Ex-Supreme Court justice says Hockey Canada's handling of fund used to .... https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/report-commission-hockey-canada-uninsured-losses-1.6614566.