Manitoba RCMP arrest 3 teenagers on suspicion of sexual assault in hockey hazing case.

A group of three teenagers have been arrested on sexual assault charges related to hazing on a hockey team, Manitoba RCMP say.

The three are accused of sexually assaulting five victims, ages 15 and 16, the RCMP said in a news release Tuesday.

Three teenagers were arrested Monday — two for sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault and forcible confinement, and one for sexual assault and battery, the RCMP said in a news release.

“It's very important for young people out there or those involved in hazing incidents to know that their actions can have very serious consequences,” said Staff Sgt. Richard Sherring of the Major Crimes Unit of the RCMP in Winnipeg in an interview.

“Everyone who plays sports should be able to do it in a safe environment.”

The arrests are related to an alleged hazing incident when the Pembina Valley High School hockey team traveled to Winnipeg for tournaments last winter, RCMP said.

The teenagers allegedly assaulted teammates at a Winnipeg hotel in November and January, and the allegations were reported to police on Feb. 20, police said.

The victims and defendants are all male hockey players in the Prairie Spirit School Division. The victims were newcomers, RCMP said.

The three accused teenagers have been released and are scheduled to appear in Winnipeg court on June 10.

Charges have not yet been formally laid, but the RCMP are working with the Crown attorney's office and hope they will be laid before the court date.

According to Sherring, the principal of one of the schools reported the allegations to the Pembina Valley RCMP after being told by the coach.

Investigators visited the schools to speak with members of the hockey team and others with information about what happened, Sherring said.

RCMP are not naming the team to protect the identities of the youths involved, he said.

“Go to someone you trust”

The team draws players from three different school divisions.

One division, the francophone division Scolaire Franco-Manitobain, spoke on behalf of the three in a statement to the CBC on Tuesday, saying Prairie Spirit declined to comment on the allegations or the involvement of its students.

The departments involved will continue to work to provide support to affected students and their families, as well as to raise awareness about hazing, the release said.

“Detachment efforts include recovery efforts, policy and procedure revisions, and an internal outreach/education campaign,” the statement said.

Sherring encourages anyone involved in youth sports to speak up about similar incidents.

“If you can't do it yourself … go to someone you trust,” Sherring said. “It's better to speak up for yourself and come forward.”

The RCMP is trying to help young people feel they are in a safe environment, he said.

“Team building is one thing, it's another,” Sherring said. “It's another thing to cross the line and put people in a vulnerable position.”

“Very disturbing”

Manitoba Secondary Schools Athletic Association executive director Chad Falk said they are monitoring the situation and are supporting the school department, but the association would not comment much on the court case.

“The community's primary concern is the safety and well-being of all athletes involved,” Faulk said in an emailed statement.

“The allegations are deeply disturbing and we take them very seriously.”

Wayne McNeil, founder of the Respect Group, which offers online training to help people recognize and prevent bullying, harassment, harassment and discrimination, says the good news is that young men feel confident enough to talk to someone.

“I applaud the victims in this case for coming forward, because it's not easy,” said McNeil, who co-founded Respect with former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy, who was abused by junior hockey coach Graham James.

Coaches and parents should evaluate whether teams should allow any initiative or new program, McNeil said.

While it's good that the allegations are being taken seriously, the welfare of any victim is paramount, he said.

Even if there are convictions, in the long run, “you know it's not going to have a positive impact on the welfare of the victims,” ​​he said.

The victims need professional help, he said.

“Priority 1 is taking care of yourself.”