Manitoba News: Teen hockey players arrested after hazing incident

Police say three teenagers have been arrested in connection with a hazing incident involving a Manitoba hockey team.

Three teenagers, all 17 years old, were arrested on April 15 for assault with a weapon, sexual assault and forcible confinement, and one was arrested for assault and sexual assault.

None of the charges have been proven in court, no charges have been filed.

RCMP said the arrests stemmed from two separate incidents involving five men, ages 15 and 16, who were rookies on the Pembina Valley hockey team.

Police say the incident took place at a Winnipeg hotel between November 2023 and January 2024 when the team was in town to play in a hockey tournament.

The three were released on bond and are scheduled to appear in court in Winnipeg on June 10.

“We took them very seriously”: RCMP

Staff Sergeant Richard Sherring, with the RCMP's Major Crimes Unit, said Mounties began the investigation in February.

“The incident was reported to the Pembina Valley RCMP by the high school principal after it was reported to one of the coaching staff,” he said.

According to Sherring, incidents of hazing are troubling and teenagers need to understand that their actions can have serious consequences.

“At the end of the day, everyone who plays sports should be able to do it in a safe environment,” he said. “When these allegations were brought to our attention, we took them very seriously and investigated them.”

According to Sherring, RCMP believe no further charges are expected in this incident.

In a statement, the Manitoba High School Athletic Association said it is aware of the arrests and its top concern is the health and safety of its student-athletes.

“The MHSAA is monitoring the situation and stands ready to support the Prairie Spirit School Division, the Scolaire Franco-Manitobain Division and the Prairie Rose School Division as they resolve this matter,” the organization said in a statement.

“The allegations are very disturbing and we take them very seriously. Given that this remains a legal matter, the MHSAA declines further comment at this time.”

Hockey Manitoba also released a statement saying it takes the allegations “very seriously.”

“The behavior that occurred has no place in the game of hockey,” said Manitoba Hockey Executive Director Peter Woods.

Hockey Manitoba said it would not comment further on the incident as the matter is in the hands of police.