A London youth hockey team has been disbanded after players were filmed naked and the videos were allegedly posted to social media. Gerry Dewan reports.
The president of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario has confirmed that a U-15 team with the West London Minor Hockey Association has been disbanded.
Larry Moreland says the team was dissolved after reports emerged indicating cell phone videos of naked players were taken in dressing room showers. Those reports allege the videos were then posted on the social media platform Snapchat.
Two players were suspended and three coaches were handed an indefinite suspension pending a disciplinary hearing.
Moreland told CTV News the team couldn’t continue to play without coaches, so players not involved in the incident were given the opportunity to play with other teams in the West London Minor Hockey Association.
The two suspended players will be subject to Hockey Canada’s independent third party (ITP) process. The ITP process was instituted in 2022. According to a statement from Hockey Canada it was established “to administer all maltreatment allegations.”
The statement from Hockey Canada chief of staff Jeremy Knight reads, “The ITP does not investigate or adjudicate complaints, but it ensures that complaints are processed in a confidential, neutral and procedurally fair manner.”
It continues, “The ITP hires external mediators, investigators and adjudicators for the complaints within its jurisdiction. When a complaint has been accepted by the ITP, the Hockey Canada Maltreatment Complaint Management Policy enables the ITP to impose interim sanctions if deemed necessary.”
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“The London Police Service is aware of a post circulating on social media involving a local boys’ hockey team. As the post relates to an ongoing investigation, there is no further information appropriate for release at this time,” London police said in a statement.
Moreland says the incident was brought to the attention of Alliance Hockey by the Ontario Hockey Federation more than two weeks ago.
He also notes Hockey Canada has what is called the “rule of two” policy, which stipulates that two screened adults must monitor the room or be immediately outside with the door propped open.
Hockey Canada policy also stipulates no cell phones or cameras are allowed in dressing rooms.
Alliance Hockey represents 23 hockey associations across southwestern Ontario, extending from the Niagara Region to Sarnia.