The Canadian Hockey League issued a statement Friday morning regarding allegations of abuse. (Western Hockey League)

By paNOW Staff

CHL Statement

CHL releases statement on abuse allegations

Jun 26, 2020 | 1:00 PM

In response to a recently announced class action lawsuit, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) has issued a statement regarding player safety.

Last Thursday, former NHL player Daniel Carcillo and WHL alumnus Garrett Taylor launched a class-action lawsuit against the CHL and its member teams on behalf of players who allegedly suffered abuse while playing junior hockey.

According to the law firm representing Carcillo and Taylor, the action “is on behalf of children aged 15 to 17 who were sexually and physically assaulted, hazed and otherwise abused while away from home and playing for CHL teams.”

Among other allegations, Carcillo claims he and other rookies in the Ontario Hockey League “were repetitively hit on their bare buttocks with a sawed-off goalie stick, developing large welts and open sores” and had to strip naked on the team bus before being sent into the bus bathroom, eight at a time.

The lawsuit alleges coaching staff and league officials knew of the abuse, and although an informal investigation was undertaken, no findings were released and no steps were taken to address the alleged abuse.

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The lawsuit seeks damages for negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract, and a declaration that the teams and the leagues are vicariously liable for abuse perpetrated by their employees and players.

Friday morning, a CHL statement said “We are deeply troubled by the allegations in the recently announced class action, many of which are historic in nature and we believe are not indicative of the leading experience our players received in the CHL today. Regardless of the timing, we are taking the claims very seriously as the protection of our players has been and will always be our primary concern.”

The CHL asserted its commitment to ensuring its 1,400 players have an environment that puts players first and is free of hazing, abuse, harassment and bullying, and that provides zero tolerance for any of these behaviours.

The league outlined several programs already in place including work with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian Red Cross, and Respect in Sport. Players and staff are provided with training on player conduct and safety, and complaint procedures are in place for any abuses according to the statement.

The league announced the development of an Independent Review Panel to “thoroughly review the current policies and practices in our leagues that relate to hazing, abuse, harassment and bullying and the allegation that players do not feel comfortable reporting behaviours that contravene these policies.”

The league also encouraged anybody with allegations relating to criminal conduct to contact the police.

The allegations have not been tested before court.

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow