Hockey Canada Makes Official Ruling In 2018 Junior Team Investigation

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Graham Montgomery
November 14, 2023 (5:55 PM)

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Members of Canada's 2018 world junior championships team has been under investigation for an alleged sexual assault for quite some time now. Today we got a major update in the investigation.

Hockey Canada Makes Decision In 2018 Sexual Assault Investigation

Hockey Canada created a three-person panel to lead the investigation into Canada's 2018 world junior team. Today we learned that the investigation is finally over after months and months of work and a final decision has been made. However, Hockey Canada has not made the report public as of this moment as the decision is currently being appealed.

Hockey Canada says the findings of an investigative report into allegations of sexual assault involving members of the 2018 Canadian junior hockey team are under appeal:

Must read on Hockey OTB

NHL insider Chris Johnston confirmed the news, adding the additional context that all members of the 2018 world junior team are currently suspended by Hockey Canada.

What Hockey Canada's Decision On 2018 Investigation Means

For now, the identities of the players involved will remain anonymous. CTV reporter Rick Westhead, known for tackling stories others would rather see swept under the rug, explained some possible scenarios for what will happen next.

"What does Hockey Canada's statement mean?
I spoke with a lawyer who has overseen many discipline investigations for national sport organizations.
If the players' appeal is unsuccessful, Hockey Canada will likely make their names and sanctions public, regardless of whether police in London, Ont., announce criminal charges, the lawyer told me. (The lawyer doesn't have first-hand info on this case.)
More context: Documents filed in court in October 2022 - 13 months ago - indicated London police believed then that there were reasonable grounds to charge five players with sexual assault. Since then, police have repeatedly said the investigation remains active but have declined to elaborate."

It seems then, that it is likely that the names of the players involved will become public information at some point. Until that day comes though, speculation will continue to surround this case.

As seen on Hockey Canada Delivers Official Ruling on the Status of the 2018 World Junior Team

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POLL
14 NOVEMBRE \| 178 ANSWERS Hockey Canada Makes Official Ruling In 2018 Junior Team Investigation When do you think we will learn what the decision was
Within a week	34	19.1 %
Within Two weeks	31	17.4 %
By the end of 2023	44	24.7 %
By the end of the season	69	38.8 %
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