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Some hockey fans in Nova Scotia say their excitement for the world junior hockey championship follows tough debates this year about Hockey Canada’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations.
Halifax hockey dad Kyle Wagner says the Hockey Canada scandals have sparked conversations in his eight-year-old son’s team locker room ahead of this year’s World Juniors, hosted by Halifax and Moncton, NB.
“And I’m sure the conversation will certainly continue for the next few years,” he said in an interview Thursday while on his way home from his son’s hockey tournament in Dartmouth, NS.
None of the accusations have been proven in court and no charges have been filed.
Hockey Canada executives revealed in July that they had paid $8.9 million in sexual-abuse settlements since 1989, excluding the 2018 settlement. The organization elected a new board on 17.12. and is still looking for a new CEO. The previous board resigned and CEO Scott Smith was fired following the controversy.
“I think it came a little too late,” Wagner said of the recent changes in Hockey Canada’s leadership, “but when something like this happens, I think you have to clean house and start over.”
Wagner said it’s a long tradition for her family to watch the games that start on Boxing Day, adding that her family is excited to cheer on Team Canada together again this year. However, Wagner said he and his family have talked about the controversies and the “terrible” things that have happened in the hockey world.
“An eight-year-old is smart because my son knows there’s controversy in hockey this year, and even though he doesn’t know a lot of the details, he knows there were some things that were done that were wrong and terrible.” he said.
WATCH lDocuments reveal new details about alleged sexual abuse in junior hockey:
Recently filed court documents show why police are seeking a search warrant to continue investigating five members of the 2018 World Youth Championship team believed to be involved in the alleged sexual assault of a woman in London, Ont. None of the police’s claims have been tested in court, and no charges have been filed.
It’s important for hockey families to pay attention to these important issues and hold the national sports organization accountable, Wagner said, “to make sure this doesn’t happen again” and that allegations of sexual assault are properly investigated.
Lifelong hockey fan Maggie Archibald, who has tickets to two upcoming world junior games at the Scotiabank Center in Halifax, said in an interview Thursday that while she’s concerned about the scandals, they won’t stop her from supporting Team Canada.
“I have tickets for two games so I’m really looking forward to it and I hope Canada continues to be successful despite the ongoing scandal,” he said.
With the recently changed Hockey Canada board, there are “very high expectations” that significant improvements will be made in the organization, Archibald said.
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage has said the resignations of the board and CEO were overdue. In an interview Thursday, he said the “dramatic” change in leadership has “cleared the way for the mayor of Moncton and me to focus on hockey and the benefits that will come to our two cities.”
Savage said the tournament is expected to bring “tens of millions” of dollars in revenue to the city, adding that he expects hotels and restaurants to be full during the typically slow tourist season.
“I’m excited to go to some games. I’m excited to see Halifax and Moncton on national television; I know both cities are going to shine,” he said.
“It’s been a tough season for Hockey Canada, but I think this is part of a new day for hockey.”
On Thursday, it was revealed that the New Brunswick government included a “good behaviour” clause in its tournament funding agreement with Hockey Canada. The agreement stipulates that during the event, all Hockey Canada representatives “shall be of good character and shall not engage in unethical conduct.”
New Brunswick has committed $1.25 million to the event, but according to the provincial regional development corporation’s contract, the government can “require that any unused portion of the funding be returned” if unethical or illegal activity occurs.
WATCH lNew Brunswick sets conditions for player behavior at World Juniors:
New Brunswick, the host of the World Juniors, is putting direct financial pressure on Hockey Canada to prevent its players from engaging in illegal or unethical activities during the tournament under the province’s contract with the hockey organization.
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