Three Manitoba teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a high school hockey team

Three 17-year-old boys at a high school in southern Manitoba have been arrested on suspicion of murder, police said. hockey hazing incidents five new players joined the team.

Manitoba RCMP say the accused and victim played for a team in Pembina Valley.

The alleged incidents — two separate incidents — took place in November 2023 and January 2024 at a Winnipeg hotel where a high school hockey team was playing in tournaments.

The victims are 15- and 16-year-old boys, the police said.

RCMP add that they were notified on February 20 and the accused were arrested on Monday.

Two of the suspects were arrested on charges of sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault and forcible confinement. A third was arrested for sexual assault and battery.

All three have been released and are due in court June 10 in Winnipeg. They have not yet been charged.

“We have been working closely with the schools, the Prairie Spirit School Division and the coaches to determine what happened and move the investigation forward,” said Tara Seel, Manitoba RCMP media relations officer. “This type of behavior – violent and offensive in nature – is unacceptable and the three young men involved will be held criminally responsible.”