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Hockey Canada's Penalty Rate For Discrimination Has More Than Doubled Since 2021-22
Hockey Canada released its report of maltreatment data for the 2023-24 season, showing another rise in penalty calls for discrimination from the two seasons beforehand.
Since Hockey Canada faced a reckoning with maltreatment in the sport, the governing body has attempted to better identify, track, report and address issues in the game. While those efforts are underway, a recent report released by Hockey Canada shows more incidents are occurring based on discriminatory grounds.
Tracking penalties that breach Hockey Canada's Rule 11.4, which protects players against actions that relate “to any player or team official who engages in verbal taunts, insults or intimidation based on discriminatory grounds,” the organization has seen those calls more than double since 2021-22.
Last year, a spike was reported seeing numbers jump from 512 penalties called by officials on discriminatory grounds, up to 913. This year, that number climbed yet again to 1,291. It represents 2.57 incidents of discrimination, based on protected grounds such as race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability, per 1,000 players.
“This year’s report is extremely important to better understand the behavior that is occurring in our communities, as it now includes all tracked penalties and allegations of incidents related to Section 11 – Maltreatment, in addition to the statistics from (the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner) and referenced data from the (Independent Third Party),” said Natasha Johnston, vice-president of sport integrity for Hockey Canada in a press release. “Across the country, we are seeing much greater awareness of what constitutes maltreatment on and off the ice, which is encouraging as we seek to remove all forms of it from hockey.”
While Hockey Canada attributes the rise in part to “much greater awareness of what constitutes maltreatment,” the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canadian Human Rights Act, which protect all citizens from discrimination, have been in force since 1982 and 1977, respectively.
The 2023-24 report shows significant jumps in the incidence rate in Saskatchewan and Manitoba from 2022-23. Manitoba more than doubled its rate from 1.68 to 3.47 per 1,000 players, and Saskatchewan nearly tripled its numbers from 1.04 to 3.11 penalties per 1,000 players.
The highest rate in Canada was seen for the third straight year in Hockey Eastern Ontario. The rate there continues to rise as well – it's now experiencing issues of discrimination at a rate of 6.11 per 1,000 players.
As the report relates to “reported unwitnessed allegations,” there was a slight reduction in reports from 711 in 2022-23 to 636 in 2023-24, although the number remains well above the 415 reported in 2021-22.
By division, the highest rates of reporting occured at the U-18 level, followed by Junior, U-15 and U-21 age groups. The highest rates of penalized and alleged discrimination in 2023-24 were based on sex and gender, followed by race and disability.
The ongoing reports are part of Hockey Canada’s new commitment to making national reports on maltreatment public following the organization's reckoning with abuse, harassment and discrimination following the inquiry into the alleged 2018 gang sexual assault involving members of Canada's world junior team. That investigation also uncovered discoveries of slush funds used to pay settlements related to allegations of violence and abuse.
The case of the alleged 2018 sexual assault is expected to head to trial in April with five former NHL players – Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Michael McLeod, Carter Hart and Alex Formenton – all facing one count of sexual assault, and McLeod also facing one count of being party to the offense. Through their lawyers, the men indicated they will not plead guilty to the charges once the trial begins.
As Hockey Canada wrote in the conclusion of its report, the governing body remains “steadfast in our commitment to creating safer and more inclusive spaces for all participants in sanctioned hockey,” despite another year of increases in incidents of discrimination.
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Kraken Wise: Captain Eberle Aims To Bring Cup To Seattle With 15 NHL Seasons Under His Belt
Spending 15 years in the NHL spotlight has taught Jordan Eberle a lot of life lessons. Now, he wants to share that wisdom with the next generation.
Now 15 seasons in and more than 1,000 games into his NHL career, Jordan Eberle has undergone plenty of change – and plenty of personal growth – over the past decade-and-a-half. He’s gone from a 20-year-old rookie thinking he’d spend his career with the Edmonton Oilers to being part of a blockbuster trade with the New York Islanders to being a veteran selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 expansion draft.
Now, Eberle is taking a career’s worth of lessons into another change: serving as an NHL captain for the first time. “I’ve been around for a while, and I’ve seen a lot,” Eberle said. “I’ve been through a lot of things. I’ve had good times. I’ve had bad times. But you gain that experience over time of being in certain situations.”
Eberle wants to help young members of the Kraken as individuals, but he also wants to help them as individuals who can benefit the team, regardless of whether they’re personally thriving or they’re struggling through a slump.
When Hall of Famer and Kraken GM Ron Francis named Eberle captain ahead of the 2024-25 season, Eberle sought to stay true to the player he was. And that’s a player who has hit the 20-goal plateau eight times in his career and who continues to maintain a high level of on-ice efficiency. “I try to stay the same person I am,” Eberle said. “Once you become captain, your words might carry a little more, but at the end of the day, I try to be the same person I’ve always been. As you get a little older, the drive to win, as I haven’t won a Stanley Cup, it becomes a lot more. You try to show that on the ice. You try to compete. You try to do whatever you can to win hockey games. A lot of that comes off the ice as well.”
Eberle’s teammates have called him a mentor and, at times, a father-like figure. And Eberle has earned that respect as an off-ice role model and a member of the Seattle community. Eberle’s community involvement began the same way it does for many pro athletes: by attending a charity golf event.
At the time, he didn’t recognize the importance of using his status to give back, but as he matured – particularly after marrying his wife, Lauren, in 2017 – it became a core part of his identity. “When you’re really young, I don’t think you realize the importance of it,” Eberle said. “For me, it was just showing up to a golf tournament, and we ended up raising a lot of money. When the money got allotted to the hospitals, I got to see the impact that it had, and that was the first time I really realized how important it is to use the ground and platform you got from hockey to really give back.”
In 2022, the Eberles founded the Sticks & Strings Foundation, a charitable organization with several key pillars, including helping mothers in need, supporting youth literacy and getting kids into sports, music and experiencing the outdoors. While many players focus their efforts on hockey camps and on-ice programs, the Eberles wanted to widen their reach. “Obviously, sports for me, personally, has given me everything and got me to the point where I am now,” Eberle said. “But there’s other things that build team camaraderie, that build confidence, that build skills and work ethic that you can do. We were trying to mix it up and go through an array of things.”
As they have with their two kids, daughter Collins and son Deacon, the Eberles sought to help youth find a passion and support their families in accessing programming, even if it was unrelated to sport or hockey. As Eberle says, it’s about finding something you love and sticking with it. “I think if you find something you’re passionate about, and you enjoy doing it, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “Reading, getting outdoors, music, hockey, sports, whatever it might be.”
Even as I drive to the rink, you see the lakes, the ocean and the mountains. Seattle is a beautiful city – Jordan Eberle
With his contract set to expire last summer, Eberle avoided unrestricted free agency by signing a two-year, $9.5-million extension in Seattle. As he does with his charity and children, Eberle took a similar approach, looking at more than just hockey when considering his future. “My wife and I love hiking, and we love getting outdoors, and Seattle is amazing for that,” he said. “Even as I drive to the rink, you see the lakes, the ocean and the mountains. There’s tons to do outdoors. It’s a beautiful city. It’s a great city. I love the people. I love their demeanor, and that’s a big reason why we decided to stay.”
While the 34-year-old has accomplished a lot as a player, leader and community member in his career, there’s no complacency in his approach to the game. Eberle wants to be the leader who helps bring a Stanley Cup to Seattle. “You just try to continue working, and you try to get better,” he said. “I want to win. I want to have a chance to get to the post-season and have a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup. I think that’s what every guy wants, and as you get older, you realize the time is getting shorter, and that drive becomes even more.”
This article appeared in the Nov. 25, 2024, World Junior Championship issue of The Hockey News. In this edition, we feature wall-to-wall coverage of the 2025 World Junior Championship, complete with previews of all 10 teams plus some of the most prominent players involved. Also in this issue, we shine the spotlight on San Jose's Tyler Toffoli, Philadelphia's Travis Konecny and a team from Haida Gwaii that really goes the extra mile.
It's available on newsstands now, or you can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.
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PWHL Expansion: Eight Cities To Consider For The Next Two Teams
The PWHL could expand by up to two teams as early as 2025-26, according to reports. Here are some cities that could get a new professional women's hockey team.
The PWHL is looking to expand by two teams ahead of the 2025-26 season, according to reports.
The women's hockey league is launching a process for prospective new clubs to submit their requests, PWHL senior vice-president of business operations Amy Scheer told Sportico in a report on Tuesday.
The first thing the pro league will need to decide, however, is what markets it'll place teams in. It won't be a traditional bidding process with expansion fees, as the PWHL uses a single-entity ownership model. Instead, the league will look for the best possible fit based on fan base, facilities, media and market size, and potential sponsorships and corporate partners.
It also begs to reason the league will be looking to keep Canadian and American markets balanced unless the success of the PWHL's three Canadian markets tips the scale North.
Here's a look at several markets the PWHL could be considering.
Detroit
The Motor City looks like a leading contender for expansion.
Certainly, Detroit's ability to set an American attendance record in their neutral site game last season bodes well for the market.
Michigan is a hotbed for women's and girls' hockey, and it annually develops some of the top American players in NCAA and professional hockey.
Little Caesars Arena is a busy venue, with the NHL's Detroit Red Wings and NBA's Detroit Pistons both calling the rink home. That could present a problem for a PWHL team.
The proximity to Windsor, Ont., however, is a massive advantage to the market, particularly with the 6,450-seat WFCU Centre in Windsor also being available if necessary. More than 500,000 Canadians live less than an hour from Detroit, including residents of Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, and Sarnia, Ont.
Quebec City
The nicest thing to hear from a market is, "We want you here." Quebec City has sent that message to the PWHL.
It'll get its chance to prove Quebec City is a thriving women's hockey market in January when the Videotron Centre, a more than 18,000-seat venue without a professional tenant, hosts the Montreal Victoire and Ottawa Charge for a neutral site game.
The Quebec Nordiques were a longtime NHL fixture, and the Quebec Remparts draw the highest average attendance in the QMJHL at Videotron Centre.
This year, the PWHL proved that it's not simply about the population density of a market but rather the interest in a local market to adopt a team. That disparity rang true watching the attendance levels in Ottawa, which drew a league-best 7,500ish fans, compared to New York, which had a league-low 2,496 fans per game.
Logistically, there is a small challenge here, as neither Boston nor Minnesota have direct flight options to Quebec City unless the league begins chartering.
Chicago
Chicago is a great geographical fit for the PWHL, as it stretches the league's reach west toward Minnesota for a regional matchup.
While the United Center is busy with the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls, there is an option in the suburban village of Rosemont, Ill. Allstate Arena, which seats more than 16,000 fans for hockey, is home primarily to the AHL's Chicago Wolves and is only a stone's throw from O'Hare Airport.
The league has tested these venues outside of city cores with less than stellar success in New York and Boston, but the Wolves have regularly drawn more than 8,000 fans per game, one of the best numbers in the AHL. With the Toronto Sceptres and Montreal Victoire thriving in AHL arenas, this might be a fit.
Winnipeg
If the league wants to go west without jumping to Vancouver and Seattle right away, Winnipeg might be a logical intermediary.
There's no easy way to get to Winnipeg, and certainly, the Jets have had their challenges with season tickets and overall attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic. But looking at the model Ottawa has in place, a team in Winnipeg could thrive. The city has a rich women's hockey history and currently boasts a vibrant girls' hockey community.
The question is whether the 15,321-seat Canada Life Centre can hold three professional teams, as the venue already hosts the Winnipeg Jets and AHL's Manitoba Moose.
Pittsburgh
Here comes the battle of Pennsylvania, as Philadelphia has also been considered a potential market in recent years. Pittsburgh obviously has the leg up after hosting a neutral-site PWHL game last season, although it was the only neutral-site game not to break 10,000 in attendance. Don't hold this against the Steel City, however, as the Pittsburgh Penguins are supportive, and the Pittsburgh Pens Elite girls program is growing.
Washington, DC
The Washington Capitals are one of the NHL's most supportive franchises for women's hockey, but the questions in Washington are a venue and support from a fan base. Yes, there are girls hockey programs in the city, but if the PWHL doesn't test run a neutral-site game there this season, we might be able to cross them off the list. The Capital One Arena is a great venue, but it has an NHL and NBA team to contest with.
Seattle And Vancouver
We're listing these markets as a package deal because it would be difficult to imagine the PWHL expanding to the West with only one market.
Seattle and Vancouver could both support professional women's teams. In Vancouver, a venue wouldn't be a challenge. In Seattle, the Climate Pledge Arena already has an NHL and WNBA team. If the city hopes to bring back an NBA team, which has been a hot topic of discussion, it would rule out the venue.
The WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds play at the 6,500-seat Accesso ShoWare Center, which could become a primary venue, but it is a 30- to 40-minute drive outside the city center.
For all your women's hockey coverage and to stay tuned on PWHL expansion, go to The Hockey News' women's hockey site.
Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum.
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NCAA Blocking CHL Players Is an 'Illegal Conspiracy,' New Antitrust Lawsuit Alleges
A new lawsuit filed Monday night alleges the NCAA violates federal antitrust law by banning players who appeared in any CHL hockey game.
A new lawsuit was filed regarding the restriction of player movement from the CHL to the NCAA.
The case alleges the NCAA is violating federal antitrust law by banning players who have appeared in a CHL exhibition or regular-season game.
Freedman Normand Friedland LLP filed the suit on Aug. 12 to the United States District Court in western New York on behalf of former junior hockey player Rylan Masterson. The 19-year-old alleges the NCAA and member teams block the movement of CHL players to the NCAA not because of their perception of amateurism but because they intend to deter top players from choosing the CHL altogether. The Hockey News received a copy of the lawsuit.
The NCAA has looked at removing restrictions preventing players with CHL experience from competing in collegiate hockey, particularly in the wake of NCAA athletes being able to collect wages for their play and through name, image and likeness (NIL) agreement.
As The Hockey News’ Tony Ferrari explained in February, “the NCAA deemed CHL players ineligible because the three leagues that make up the CHL – OHL, WHL and QMJHL – have players in them who have signed professional contracts with NHL teams.” As a result, the NCAA views the CHL as a professional league.
Masterson played two exhibition games for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires when he was 16.
“As a result of the illegal conspiracy in violation of the U.S. antitrust laws alleged herein, (Masterson) lost his eligibility to play Division I hockey for any institution that is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association,” the suit alleges.
Masterson never played a regular-season game in the OHL and instead played out his junior hockey career in the GOJHL with the Fort Erie Meteors, which he captained last season, scoring 39 points in 45 games from the blueline.
As a result of the NCAA’s current restrictions, players entering their CHL draft eligibility are often made to declare their intentions to play in one league or the other and are restricted from attending CHL camps for longer than 48 hours or playing in any exhibition games with CHL teams without forfeiting their NCAA eligibility.
As NCAA Bylaw 12.2.3.2 states, “An individual shall not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics in a sport if the individual ever competed on a professional team.”
It is only men’s ice hockey and skiing, per NCAA Bylaw 12.2.3.2.1, where athletes are not allowed to play in a league deemed professional before initial full-time collegiate enrollment as well. NCAA Bylaw 12.2.3.2.4 explicitly considers major junior hockey leagues as classified by the Canadian Hockey Association (now Hockey Canada) as professional.
That being said, the suit alleges that individuals who played professional hockey in other countries are allowed to play Div. I hockey, specifically mentioning Vancouver Canucks prospect Tom Willander, who played for Rogle in the Swedish League before playing for Boston University.
Players who choose the CHL route at a young age might play only a handful of games, but any appearance results in NCAA ineligibility two to three years prior to those players graduating from high school.
“This scheme (referred to herein as the 'boycott') prevents competition between the CHL and NCAA for top-end players and thus artificially suppresses compensation for players and artificially creates less competitive leagues,” the antitrust lawsuit alleges. “Not only that, the boycott also puts 16-year-olds in the impossible position of deciding, at that young age, whether they will ever want to play Div. I hockey. It is per se illegal under the antitrust laws, including because it constitutes a group boycott.”
Recently, more top NHL draft prospects from Canada have chosen the NCAA route over the CHL, including 2025 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini and 2023 third-overall pick Adam Fantilli.
This is not Freedman Normand Friedland LLP’s first foray into antitrust class action lawsuits. It recently challenged an Ivy League agreement not to pay athletic scholarships, as well as a separate suit against elite American universities for allegedly “colluding to limit financial aid for admitted students.” That suit resulted in a $166-million settlement.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
The Hockey News contacted the NCAA for comment Tuesday morning. This article will be updated if there is a response.
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'This Is An Amazing Feeling': Canada Ends USA's Run of Gold Medals at Para Hockey Worlds
The Americans had a chance to win their fourth straight gold medal at the Para Ice Hockey World Championship, but Canada won the final in a tight-scoring concert.
Canada captured gold in Calgary Sunday, beating USA in the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championship.
The Americans had won three straight gold medals at the event and were favored for a fourth, but Canada held off the powerhouse to take a 2-1 win.
Adam Kingsmill, Canada’s netminder, was the difference-maker for much of the game, stopping 24 of 25 shots he faced. Canada only managed nine shots on the USA net in the game.
“We put a lot of pride in selling out to play good defense, and that win is a testament to every guy on our team,” forward Dominic Cozzolino said in a Hockey Canada release. “This is an amazing feeling; it is what you dream of as a kid. This feels so good right now.”
Canada wasted no time on home ice, with Cozzolino scoring only 35 seconds into the game. Rob Armstrong found a puck at the point and put the shot through traffic, where Cozzolino found it on the back door to tuck home Canada’s first of the game.
“Scoring that early felt amazing,” Cozzolino said. “It was our plan to come out and get an early start, but it could have been any one of the guys in our locker room that scored. I was just in the right place at the right time.”
Midway through the second frame, Canadian captain Tyler McGregor won a board battle behind the net and found a wide-open Anton Jacobs-Webb in the slot, who banged home his chance to make it 2-0 Canada.
The Americans weren’t done yet, however. Declan Farmer scored on a beautiful individual effort, switching hands on the stickhandle before roofing a shot with under five minutes to go to pull the USA within one.
But Kingsmill shut the door in the final moments, earning himself player of the game honors. Following the game, Kingsmill touted his teammates despite a spectacular individual performance in the net.
“I did not see the puck very often because my teammates kept blocking shots,” he said. “They made the game easy for me. I feel great, my whole family is here. I cannot help but smile. I do not have words to sum it all up right now, I think it will take a little while before I can do that.”
USA had won three straight gold medals, including a 6-1 win in the 2023 World Championship over Canada for gold. In 2024, however, it was not to be for the reigning champions.
“We had a tough start, but we settled in well,” said USA coach David Hoff. “They did a good job of making it hard for us in the middle of the ice. It was one of those nights where the game humbled us, but it wasn’t for the lack of effort.”
It was the United States' only loss of the year, including against Canada. They finished their season with 19 wins and a single loss, which came in the gold medal final. It was Canada’s first gold medal at the tournament since 2017.
Farmer Sets a Record
USA’s Declan Farmer set an American single-tournament record, notching 20 points in five games.
Farmer, who hails from Tampa Bay, was named the tournament MVP. American captain Josh Pauls was named the best defender, while Canada's Cozzolino was named the tournament’s best forward. Cozzolino tied for Canada’s scoring lead with 17 points in the tournament.
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USA Goes for Fourth Straight Gold Against Canada at World Para Ice Hockey Championship
The intense hockey rivalry continues tonight between the USA and Canada in the finals of the World Para Ice Hockey Championship. It's time to see if Canada can break team USA's four year gold streak.
It’s another instalment of the best rivalry in hockey. Canada and the USA have faced each other for gold on other stages this season, and they’re set to do so again, this time at the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championship in Calgary.
How They Got There
Both Canada and the United States went undefeated in group play, with the USA outscoring their opponents 31-0 in three games and Canada outscoring their opposition 34-1. It was a pair of dominant performances during the round-robin, but neither team saw the same lopsided results when elimination games rolled around.
In their semifinal, Canada fell behind 1-0 to China after Jintao Tian opened the scoring midway through the first period on the power play.
After a scoreless second frame, Canada exploded out of the gate in the third period. Only 1:19 into the third, Micah Kovacevich scored to tie things at 1-1. Dominic Cozzolino quickly scored another for Canada only 24 seconds later, giving the team a 2-1 lead. Veteran leader Tyler McGregor assisted on both goals.
Canadian netminder Adam Kingsmill shut the door from there on out, making 14 saves in the win.
"What you saw in the semifinals today was two teams that had nothing to lose and played that way," Canadian coach Russ Herrington said to the CBC. "We have been talking all tournament about competing and playing freely, and I do not think we did that in the first two periods.
"In the end, I have to give a lot of credit to our team for being able to relax enough heading into the third period realizing that we put ourselves in a position where one good period could be enough."
The Americans had an equally difficult challenge in their semifinal, edging Czechia 3-1. Chris Douglas scored 8:59 into the game for Team USA, but Czechia continued pressing. After a scoreless second period, Martin Zizlavsky knotted the game at 1-1 for Czechia just over five minutes into the third period. USA bounced back with the clock running down, however, as Malik Jones put USA ahead 2-1, and Douglas secured the win with his second of the game, this time into an empty net in the dying moments of the game. For USA, it was a scare they didn’t expect, and one that prepared them for another contest against Canada.
“It was a challenging environment for us today, we struggled to finish a few chances and weren’t able to get any cushion early,” said USA head coach David Hoff. “But I thought that we were in such a tough environment in the third and we were able to finish and pull through, I think it showed a lot of character from our guys.”
USA will hope that character spills over into Sunday’s gold medal game against rival Canada.
USA Goes For Fourth Straight Gold
There is dominance, and then there is the force USA has shown at the World Para Ice Hockey Championships. Team USA has captured three straight gold medals and has not finished off the podium at the tournament since 2000. They’ll look to win their fourth straight after beating Canada 6-1 in last year’s gold medal game in Moose Jaw, Sask. The Canadians, on the other hand, are looking for their first gold medal since 2017 in Gangneung, South Korea.
To win gold, team USA will need to stop Canada’s trio of Liam Hickey, Tyler McGregor, and Dominic Cozzolino. In Canada's top group, Hickey leads with 17 points in four games, while McGregor and Cozzolino both have 16. McGregor has been Canada’s top goal-scorer notching nine goals to date. On the USA side of the puck, veteran captain Josh Pauls remains one of their top players, with a plethora of high octane players contributing in the tournament including Douglas, Jones, and star Declan Farmer.
Puck drops on the gold medal game from the WinSport Arena in Calgary May. 12 at 5:30 p.m. MDT (7:30 p.m. ET). Czechia and China will play for bronze earlier in the day at 1:30 p.m. MDT (3:30 p.m. ET).
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Antitrust Lawsuit Filed in U.S. Against CHL, Major Junior Leagues and NHL
Plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed in New York against the CHL, its major junior leagues and the NHL allege that teenage hockey players are "treated like disposable objects."
A new antitrust lawsuit filed today in New York federal court alleges the CHL, its major junior leagues, the NHL and member clubs are systematically exploiting “teens pursuing their dream of playing in the NHL.”
The plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit are alleging the system used to draft and control teenage players is a “hockey cartel.”
Plaintiffs include the World Association of Ice Hockey Players Unions North America division, as well as former WHL players Tanner Gould and Isaiah DiLaura.
"It's time for change within major junior hockey,” said Gould in a joint press release from Constantine Cannon LLP and Zelle LLP, the law firms representing the plaintiffs. “I’m proud to be a part of this case because I want to make sure that the players coming up after me are protected in a way that I was not."
According to the press release, the plaintiffs allege players “were denied the freedom to choose where they played hockey, were paid only a collusively determined $250 a month for their hockey services, and were separated from their families at a vulnerable age and traded against their wishes — all to maximize profits for the NHL, the major junior hockey leagues, and each of their member clubs.”
Added DiLaura: “Teenage players continue to be treated like disposable objects, just like I was. I am hoping this lawsuit will put an end to that.”
Also among the allegations are the inability of CHL teams to compete for players outside their geographic regions, specifically “once they had been involuntarily drafted by another team,” and that players’ rights are then owned by those teams, ensuring “players cannot move teams or leagues unless they can be sold, usually for cash.”
Other issues outlined by the legal representatives for the plaintiffs included restrictive negotiating rights for players and lack of compensation for the use of a player’s name, image, and likeness.
The allegations have not been tested in court.
According to the plaintiffs, the NHL’s role in these allegations stems from the multi-million-dollar payments NHL teams make to major junior hockey organizations and other stipulations set in the NHL-CHL Transfer Agreement. Among those items is the ability of NHL teams to assign signed players back to major junior clubs, which, the plaintiffs allege, “allows NHL clubs to avoid paying these draftees higher salaries while at the same time avoiding the loss of a year on their entry-level contracts.”
The CHL said in a statement to the Canadian Press that it was only made aware of the complaint Wednesday. It added the World Association of Ice Hockey Players Unions has not been certified to represent any player in its leagues, and that it cannot "comment as to the legitimacy of its contents" until it can thoroughly review the document.
The Hockey News has reached out to the NHL for comment and will update this story if there's a response.
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London Police Confirm Sexual Assault Charges Against Five 2018 Canadian WJC Players
London Police Service confirmed that Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton face sexual assault charges in relation to an investigation into allegations involving members of the 2018 Canadian world juniors team.
London, Ont., police held a press conference to update the public on an investigation into allegations of sexual assault involving five members of the 2018 Canadian world juniors team.
London Police Service chief Thai Truong said the police found sufficient grounds to charge five adult males with sexual assault. Those men include current NHL players Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote, and former Ottawa Senators forward Alex Formenton. McLeod was also charged with a second count of sexual assault for being a party to the offense in relation to aiding someone else in committing an offense, according to Det. Sgt. Katherine Dann.
The lawyers for the players say their clients will plead not guilty to the charges. The allegations have not been proven in court.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg15C2jSdPA[/embed]
Lawyers for five members of Hockey Canada’s 2018 world juniors roster appeared in a London court this morning for a brief 15-minute hearing, as reported by TSN's Rick Westhead.
At Monday morning’s hearing, as Westhead reported, the crown attorney told the court that “substantial” paper and audio evidence collected by London police in connection with the case would be sent today to the players’ lawyers.
While both the prosecution and defense prepare their case and review the disclosed information and investigation findings, the justice of the peace has ordered a publication ban on the identity of the victim, as well as of two witnesses.
The alleged assault took place following a Hockey Canada gala in June of 2018. The investigation was re-opened in July 2022, Truong said.
“After the event, the accused and several teammates met the victim at a downtown bar and later invited her to a hotel room where the sexual assault by the individuals now charged took place,” said Truong.
“This investigation has been a length and complex process. I want to recognize and acknowledge the victim for her courage and her incredible strength throughout,” Truong added.
Truong also extended his "sincerest apology" to the victim, identified only as E.M., and her family for the time it's taken to reach this point.
"As a police officer working in this space for many many years, I can tell you that this is a difficult, difficult situation for all victims and survivors of sexual violence," Truong said.
The five players surrendered themselves to police and were released on undertakings, according to Truong.
While Truong said there are many questions the media and the public have related to the initial investigation, as well as the 2022 investigation, he said the judicial process needs to be respected.
“The presumption of innocence until proven guilty is a cornerstone of our justice system, and it applies to the five accused, but right now, our organization is focused on supporting the victim and upholding the integrity of the criminal trial process. Today’s charges are a critical, critical step as we move forward,” said Truong.
Next to the podium at the London Police Service press conference was Dann, who described the incident in depth, including details surrounding the initial investigation. Dann was assigned to lead the 2022 review of the initial occurrence.
“Upon review of the occurrence, it was determined that there were additional steps that could be taken to advance the investigation. As a result, the investigation was re-opened, and a team of investigators were assigned,” Dann said.
As Dann stated, the information collected from both 2018 and 2022 is part of one ongoing investigation, not two.
“The evidence that was collected in 2018 and 2019 was used in combination with newly gathered evidence to form reasonable and probably grounds to charge these five individuals with sexual assault,” said Dann.
Dann also read a statement from Karen Bellehumeur, the legal representative of the victim.
“It takes an incredible amount of courage for any survivor of sexual assault to report to police and participate in the criminal justice system. That is certainly true for E.M. Yet she remains committed to see this process through. We simply ask that the media and others respect her privacy and her dignity as this matter proceeds through the court process,” the statement said.
Hockey Canada released a statement after the press conference saying it has co-operated fully with the London Police Service throughout its investigation and remains committed to supporting the legal process.
All players from Canada's 2018 world juniors team remain ineligible to play, coach, officiate or volunteer with Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs pending the completion of an appeal process, according to the statement. The appeal is in response to a report by an independent panel about whether certain members of the 2018 team breached Hockey Canada's code of conduct and, if so, what sanctions should be imposed against them.
“Hockey Canada recognizes that in the past we have been too slow to act and that in order to deliver the meaningful change that Canadians expect of us, we must work diligently and urgently to ensure that we are putting in place the necessary measures to regain their trust, and provide all participants with a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment on and off the ice,” said Hockey Canada president-CEO Katherine Henderson in the statement.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the allegations during media availability at NHL All-Star weekend calling the alleged assault “abhorrent, reprehensible, horrific and unacceptable.” The NHL also investigated the incident, interviewing each member of Canada’s 2018 world junior team, a process Bettman said took close to a year to complete. This investigation was completed in the fall of 2023 and has since been in discussions with the NHLPA “as to how best to use the information to move forward.”
The next hearing, where information from the disclosure of the investigations will be discussed, is reportedly scheduled for April 30, 2024.
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NHL Commissioner Addresses Reported Charges Facing Five 2018 WJC Canada Players
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called the sexual assault allegations facing five members of the 2018 Canadian world juniors team "abhorrent" but says the league will let the judicial process play out before deciding what actions to take.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman spoke to media as part of NHL All-Star Weekend. Among his comments, which included topics of the state of the league’s business growth, Olympic participation and the all-star events themselves, Bettman also took an opportunity to address the sexual assault allegations facing four current NHL players and one former NHL player.
The group of NHL players allegedly involved in a sexual assault following a Hockey Canada event in London, Ont., in 2018, include Philadelphia’s Carter Hart, Calgary’s Dillon Dube, New Jersey’s Michael McLeod and Cal Foote, and former Ottawa Senators forward Alex Formenton, who had been playing in Switzerland. The allegations against them have not been proven in court, and lawyers for the five players say they will plead not guilty.
“I want to be clear, from the moment we first learned about this on May 26, 2022, I have repeatedly used the words, abhorrent, reprehensible, horrific and unacceptable to describe the alleged behaviors, and those words continue to apply,” Bettman said in his opening remarks on the topic.
Following the NHL becoming aware of the alleged incident, the league claims to have launched and completed an external investigation that took, according to Bettman, close to a year to complete. The NHL received the findings of that investigation in the fall of 2023 and, at that time, began conversations with the NHLPA “as to how best to use the information to move forward.”
“This task was complex because of a variety of factors, not the least of which was that our authority had limitations, the volume of information, the passage of time and the fact that other investigations were going on at the same time,” said Bettman.
The other investigations Bettman mentioned were those of the London Police Service, which re-opened its investigation into the matter in the summer of 2022, as well as investigations by Hockey Canada not only into the incident itself but also into how Canada’s governing body for the sport handled the matter internally.
Bettman said the NHL had heard rumors that charges may be pressed against players on numerous occasions but were not informed prior to news breaking on this story in recent days. While none of the four NHL players remain with their clubs, each taking a leave of absence from their teams, the NHL has yet to receive official confirmation that charges have been laid.
“While there are reports of indictments, we have not received official confirmation from the London authorities that five players have been or will be indicted, although it appears from reports they will be,” said Bettman. “As such, and if charges are pending, it would be inappropriate to provide further comment on the matter.”
Despite Bettman’s comments, the legal teams for the players allegedly involved in the sexual assault of a woman identified only as E.M. in reports have confirmed that charges have been filed against the players.
“We can now confirm that more than five and a half years after EM’s initial complaint to police, the London Police Service has charged Mike McLeod with sexual assault," read a statement from David Humphrey and Seth Weinstein of lawyer firm Greenspan Humphrey Weinstein. "Mr. McLeod denies any criminal wrongdoing. He will be pleading not guilty and will vigorously defend the case. None of the evidence has been presented, let alone tested in court. We ask that the public respect Mr. McLeod’s privacy, and his family’s privacy. Because the matter is now before the court, we will not comment further at this time."
The lawyers for Hart, Foote, Dube and Formenton also released nearly identical statements that their clients have now been charged with sexual assault and will defend themselves before the courts.
The commissioner also said it wouldn't be necessary for the NHL or its teams to suspend or terminate the contracts of the players currently on leave, adding that he's comfortable that they're away from their teams and not playing. The league will also wait for the judicial process to play out before deciding further action to take, he said. Bettman confirmed that they're still being paid, have been paid most of their salary for the year and are all on contracts that expire after the season.
"In order to terminate a contract successfully, you need to be able to prove certain things," Bettman said.
That said, Bettman said he'd be surprised if these players play while charges are pending.
"If I were them, I would be focusing on defending themselves, assuming the charges come down," he said.
Bettman concluded his statements by saying these allegations and the acts outlined do not represent the NHL or hockey as a whole.
“I think it’s important for people to understand that what happened…this is not typical of NHL players, these players weren’t NHL players in the league playing games at the time this alleged incident took place, and we are committed, and we do this through programs that we administer for our players… this is not representative, these allegations, of what takes place in our game,” said Bettman. “And we’re committed to setting the right example and co-operating with hockey organizations at all levels, particularly the youth level, to make sure the message in terms of what is appropriate conduct is delivered. We want people to know our game is inclusive, welcoming, and safe.”
London police have scheduled a press conference for Monday, Feb. 5, at 2 p.m. ET to provide an update related to the allegations.
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Report: Four Current NHL Players Facing Charges in Sexual Assault Investigation
According to a TSN report, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube and Cal Foote were directed to surrender to London police to be charged with sexual assault in connection with an alleged incident at a 2018 Hockey Canada event.
Update: Respective lawyers for New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod and defenseman Cal Foote, Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube and Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart said their clients have been charged with sexual assault, according to multiple reports.
Two lawyers representing McLeod said he has been charged with sexual assault, according to The Athletic, Sportsnet and The Canadian Press.
"We can now confirm that more than five and a half years after EM’s initial complaint to police, the London Police Service has charged Mike McLeod with sexual assault," said the statement by David Humphrey and Seth Weinstein of lawyer firm Greenspan Humphrey Weinstein. "Mr. McLeod denies any criminal wrongdoing. He will be pleading not guilty and will vigorously defend the case. None of the evidence has been presented, let alone tested in court. We ask that the public respect Mr. McLeod’s privacy, and his family’s privacy. Because the matter is now before the court, we will not comment further at this time."
A lawyer for Dube said the player has also been charged with sexual assault, according to TSN's Rick Westhead.
Dube "will not plead not guilty and maintains his innocence," in a statement by Louis P. Strezos and Kaleigh Davidson. "He will defend the allegations in court. We ask that you respect the privacy of Mr. Dube and that of his family."
Megan Savard and Riaz Sayani of Savard Foy LLP, Hart's lawyers, released a statement on social media saying he's been charged with one count of sexual assault.
"He is innocent and will provide a full response to this false allegation in the proper forum, a court of law. Until then, we have no comment," the statement said.
Julianna Greenspan of Greenspan Partners LLP said their client, Foote, was charged with sexual assault in a statement shared by Westhead.
"Cal is innocent of the charge and will defend himself against this allegation to clear his name," Greenspan's statement said. "What is most critical at this time is the presumption of innocence, and the right to a fair trial that everyone in Canada is entitled to. As the matter is before the court, I ask that Cal's and his family's privacy be respected."
The original story follows:
According to TSN's Rick Westhead, four current NHL players are among those directed to surrender to police in London, Ont., in connection to an alleged sexual assault following a Hockey Canada event in 2018.
Those players include Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, and Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames, two unnamed sources familiar with the matter told TSN.
Earlier this week, The Globe and Mail confirmed the identity of the fifth person ordered to surrender as former Ottawa Senators forward Alex Formenton, who’d been playing with Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland before taking a leave of absence from the team. Formenton reported to police on Jan. 28.
"The London Police have charged several players, including Alex Formenton, in connection with an accusation made in 2018," Formenton's legal team said in a statement to The Globe and Mail. "Alex will vigorously defend his innocence and ask that people not rush to judgment without hearing all of the evidence."
The players are expected to be “photographed, fingerprinted, and directed to sign an undertaking not to have contact with the alleged victim, either the first time they report to police or at a subsequent date,” according to TSN's report.
An investigation into the alleged assault reopened in 2022. It reportedly culminated in a filing to the Ontario Court of Justice where London police said it had reasonable grounds to suggest five members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team had committed criminal offenses.
None of the allegations against the players have been proven in court.
“We understand that there is significant public interest in relation to a sexual assault investigation dating back to 2018,” London Police wrote in a press release. “While we are unable to provide an update at this time, we anticipate that the London Police Service will hold a press conference on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 to share further details.”
All of the players allegedly involved in the assault have already left their respective teams, with each taking leaves. NHL teams have not been specific about the reasons for the leaves of absence for their players.
The Calgary Flames stated on Jan. 21 that Dube had been “granted an indefinite leave of absence from the team while he attends to his mental health," adding he is under the care of health professionals. Hart was granted a leave of absence for "personal reasons," while the Devils did not provide a reason for the absences of Foote and McLeod.
Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere was asked about last Wednesday's Globe and Mail report and Hart's absence at a recent press conference, calling it “a very serious matter.”
“We will respond appropriately when the outcomes of the investigations are made public,” Briere told reporters.
Carter Hart had been serving as the Philadelphia Flyers’ starting netminder this season. In 26 games, he’d posted a 2.80 goals-against average and .906 save percentage along with a 12-9-4 record, including one shutout.
Dube has appeared in 43 games this season for the Calgary Flames, recording three goals and seven points, while Michael McLeod has totalled 10 goals and 19 points in 45 games with the New Jersey Devils. Cal Foote has played four games with the Devils this season, spending most of the year in the AHL with the Utica Comets.
Video to come.
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Report: Five Members of 2018 Canadian World Juniors Team Told to Surrender in Connection with Sexual Assault Investigation
Five members of Team Canada's 2018 World Junior Championship team were ordered by London, Ont., police to surrender, according to a report by The Globe and Mail.
Update: London, Ont., police anticipate they will hold a press conference on Monday, Feb. 5, on an investigation into sexual assault allegations dating back to 2018. The original story follows.
Police in London, Ont., have directed five unnamed members of Hockey Canada’s 2018 World Junior Championship team to surrender, The Globe and Mail has reported.
The surrender is in relation to an alleged 2018 sexual assault following a gala event in London where the world junior gold medal team was being recognized. Since then, Hockey Canada has faced internal and external investigations and probing for their handling of the allegations. In 2022, Hockey Canada paid out a settlement to the unidentified woman, known only as E.M., who alleged she’d been assaulted by eight men.
The deadline for these men to surrender themselves to police was not released, and London Police told the media no further updates would be provided at this time.
“We are unable to provide an update at this time. When there is further information to share regarding this investigation, we will be in contact with media outlets,” London Police wrote in separate emails to media members.
London Police had originally closed the case in 2019 without filing charges. Following public outcry, it reopened the case in July 2022. This new investigation resulted in London Police stating in a filing to the Ontario Court of Justice that reasonable grounds had been discovered to suggest five members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team had committed criminal offenses.
As The Globe and Mail initially reported when this filing went to court in December 2022, London Police Service sergeant David Younan wrote in his report that “when taking a global view of the evidence, (E.M.) subjectively believed that she had no alternative but to engage in the (specific sex act(s)). Further, I believe that each of the suspects knew or ought to have known that (E.M.) had not consented.”
In his report, Younan outlined the alleged criminal actions, as well as reports that an older man accompanying the Canadian players at a bar in London allegedly poured a shot of alcohol into the E.M.’s mouth and told her to “take care” of the players. Younan’s report also outlines the impact on the victim and states she “explicitly told the men she was not comfortable” and asked the men to stop. The players, according to the report, allegedly then took turns slapping her.
Hockey Canada reportedly settled a $3.55-million lawsuit filed by E.M. This payment, and others like it, were a significant portion of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage’s inquiry into “slush funds” used by Hockey Canada to pay victims, along with Hockey Canada’s protocol for reporting and preventing harm to participants.
Following the hearings, Hockey Canada CEO Scott Smith, and later interim CEO Andrea Skinner and the entire Hockey Canada board of directors stepped down. Since then, Hockey Canada has developed an Action Plan, hired new CEO Katherine Henderson, and selected a new board of directors.
The contents of The Globe and Mail’s report have yet to be corroborated by other media outlets including The Hockey News. The report said no charges have been laid as of yet. The allegations have not been proven in court at this time.
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Hockey Canada Sees Spike in Maltreatment Reports From Last Season
Hockey Canada's latest report on tracking maltreatment in sanctioned hockey found a jump in discrimination-related penalties and complaints in 2022-23 compared to the season before.
Hockey Canada saw a massive increase in reports made in their 2022-2023 tracking period as the organization continues to examine “all instances of maltreatment, including abuse, discrimination and harassment in sanctioned hockey programs across the country.”
On Thursday, Hockey Canada released national results from data collected during the 2022-2023 season through new independent complaint systems, as well as officials calling all rules in Section 11 of Hockey Canada’s rules.
The Tracking Maltreatment in Sanctioned Hockey report showed a spike, jumping to 913 calls assessed by officials under Hockey Canada's discrimination rule from 512 in 2021-22. There were another 711 reported allegations in 2022-23 compared to 415 the season before.
Hockey Canada also saw 1,872 complaints made through the related independent third-party system. An additional 25 complaints related to ice hockey were made to the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner, one of which is pending jurisdiction.
According to the report, Hockey Canada attributes this spike to a number of variables, “including but not limited to greater awareness around Section 11 of the Hockey Canada Rule Book due to promotional efforts made by Hockey Canada and its Members to educate and support officials, players and coaches, and improved reporting processes.”
This report is critical in Hockey Canada's efforts to identify and act against egregious behaviors in the sport in collaboration with its member branches across the country, said Natasha Johnston, vice-president of sport safety for Hockey Canada.
“With our Members, we are committed to expanding reporting on maltreatment in sanctioned hockey during the 2023-24 season as well as working to prevent and address maltreatment behaviors in sanctioned hockey programming,” Johnston said in a news release. “As we continue to build greater awareness and facilitate greater opportunities and trust for individuals to come forward, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in maltreatment incidences being reported on and off the ice.”
The public release of this data is part of Hockey Canada’s new safety frameworks and promise to participants and Canadians of transparency related to harassment and abuse.
These changes were sparked by investigations into an alleged 2018 gang sexual assault involving members of Hockey Canada’s World Junior team. That investigation led to discoveries of slush funds used to pay settlements and shortcomings in the policy and procedure followed by Hockey Canada members following allegations of violence and abuse.
From the report, of the 1,872 complaints made to the independent third party, only 187 were accepted. Of the complaints made, 35.3 percent dealt with bullying and harassment, 34.1 percent dealt with discrimination, five percent related to sexual maltreatment, 3.7 percent to physical abuse and 2.2 percent to an alleged abuse of power.
Related to allegations of discrimination, most penalties related to sex/gender-based discrimination, followed by disability and race.
“Hockey Canada is committed to ensuring greater safety and inclusion in hockey by identifying and addressing systemic issues in and around Canada’s game,” the report said. “Hockey can and should play a positive role in contributing to our communities, but when harmful behavior takes place, the consequences are negative for the health and safety of those involved.”
To conclude the report, Hockey Canada listed 10 initiatives the governing body intends to continue or implement in the 2023-2024 season and beyond “to prevent and address maltreatment behaviors in its sanctioned programming.”
Among those items were an implementation strategy for 2022’s new gender expression and equity policy, addressing the 13 objectives defined in their equity, diversity and inclusion path forward, education and implementation support related to policies, templates and tools they are developing, and continued and improved tracking of maltreatment reports.
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Hockey Canada: Findings of Report into 2018 Canada Junior Team Under Appeal
The findings from an investigative report into members of the 2018 Canadian men's junior hockey team are under appeal, Hockey Canada announced.
Hockey Canada announced there's an appeal of the findings from an
independent adjudicative panel into whether or not members of Canada’s 2018 national
men's junior team broke Hockey Canada’s code of conduct.
One year ago, in November 2022, the independent adjudicative panel was provided Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP’s final investigative report related to allegations of gang sexual assault by members of the 2018 National Junior Team. The alleged assault occurred in June 2018 following a Hockey Canada event honoring the gold medal-winning world junior team, involving multiple members of the 2018 team.
According to Hockey Canada, an in-camera appeal process will “begin in the near future.” In the meantime, however, Hockey Canada said it is “not able to share details of the report, including its findings at this time to ensure that we do not interfere with the integrity of the appeal process.”
The independent adjudicative panel provided its final report to all involved parties. Shortly after that action, a notice of appeal was filed, which is permitted under the organization’s investigation and adjudication procedures, according to Hockey Canada.
“We thank the members of the independent adjudicative panel for their efforts in this proceeding,” Hockey Canada stated in a news release on Tuesday.
While the appeal process continues, “all players from the 2018 National Junior Team remain suspended by Hockey Canada and are currently ineligible to play, coach, officiate or volunteer with Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.”
Earlier this month, new Hockey Canada CEO Katherine Henderson said Hockey Canada was in a holding pattern waiting for the report, which has now been delivered.
“Like the public at this point, we are in waiting mode to see what these three independent entities are going to do and how this information informs their adjudicative process, their judicial process, if you’re the police, their criminal process,” Henderson said. “But what we’ve done, from what I understand, is we’ve co-operated with everyone, and that would be the intent going forward for sure.”
According to Hockey Canada, it's continued to co-operate with the London Police Service as it continues with its legal process.
Henderson and Hockey Canada have acknowledged their role in rectifying the procedural and policy issues through new hirings and the guidance of a transitional board of directors. As discussed at Hockey Canada’s ‘Beyond the Boards’ summit this year, Hockey Canada also has an interest in getting to the root cause of hockey’s cultural issues. Incoming CEO Katherine Henderson also spoke of being an active part of that solution.
"Sports do change over time," Henderson said. "I want to be a big part of that change, and so part of it is understanding root causes. Then the next part is really understanding what are the interventions and with who.”
The probe into Hockey Canada’s operations and the alleged 2018 sexual assaults has been ongoing for more than a year. Initially, the London Police Service conducted an investigation into the matter in 2019, concluding their investigation without pressing charges. It has since reopened the investigation but has yet to press charges.
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Brock McGillis Launches 'Culture Shift Tour' to Visit 100 Teams in Canada's Seven NHL Cities
Brock McGillis is heading across Canada to talk to 100 youth teams in 100 days to ensure hockey takes crucial steps toward being a welcoming space. Ian Kennedy has details on that and more.
Brock McGillis wants to change hockey culture, so he's taking to the road.
The former professional goaltender, who was hockey’s first openly gay professional player, plans to visit 100 high-school aged youth teams in 100 days across Canada to share his story, “embarking on a mission this upcoming hockey season to ensure the game of hockey takes important strides to be a welcoming space.”
"I love the game of hockey, and I want it to continue to thrive and grow," said McGillis.
"That means ensuring the game is fun and welcoming to everyone who wants to play. This Tour is about celebrating the game of hockey, while acknowledging that we can be doing better to ensure everyone feels welcomed to participate."
McGillis’ 'Culture Shift Tour’ will stop in all seven Canadian NHL markets, sharing his own story as a case study to humanize the experience of those from the LGTBQ+ community or others in hockey who may not feel welcomed or safe in the game. Vancouver is the first stop from Nov. 15 to 25 and continues until Toronto from Jan. 24 to Feb. 3, 2024, according to his website.
McGillis’ tour was made possible by a number of corporate sponsors enabling teams and organizations to welcome McGillis without financial barriers, he said. Those sponsors include Canadian Tire JumpStart, Scotiabank, Skip The Dishes, Air Canada, MLSE, Toronto Maple Leafs, Access Storage, NHL, Greater Toronto Hockey League, Gatorade and The Carnegie Initiative.
For the past two years, McGillis has appeared on The Hockey News’ 100 people of power and influence list.
Safe Spaces at the Forefront
While McGillis tours Canada to change hockey culture, the discussion of safe spaces in hockey is again bubbling to the surface as another season progresses.
In London, Ont., the U Sports Western Mustangs women’s hockey team threatens to boycott all future games and practices involving head coach Candice Moxley. Earlier this year, players alleged sexual harassment by strength and conditioning coach Jeff Watson, which the school substantiated in an investigation, resulting in Watson's dismissal. The players, however, are also alleging misconduct directed at Moxley regarding how the sexual harassment allegations were dealt with and in her treatment of players.
The investigation that led to Watson's dismissal cleared Moxley of breaching Western's non-discrimination and harassment policy. The players questioned the impartiality of Elizabeth Hewitt, the person Western selected to carry out the investigation. Hewitt is a London-based lawyer with experience in independent external investigations, but she also once taught at Western's faculty of law.
"We had an expectation that Western University would believe us, the survivors of the psychological abuse we faced from coach Moxley,” the players wrote in a letter to the school.
Multiple outlets reached out to Moxley after the letter was forwarded to media on Friday, but she has not commented at this time. John Doerksen, Western's vice-provost, students, said the university was working with Moxley, the interim coaching staff and the university's sports and recreation program on a plan for the rest of the season, according to a statement emailed on Monday to The London Free Press. The university had also met with players before and after the investigation into Moxley to provide updates and address questions from players, according to the statement.
This occurs while a civil case plays out involving the Chicago Blackhawks and a second player from the 2010 Stanley Cup winning team, identified only as John Doe. In the filings, the player alleges sexual abuse by Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich, gaslighting from staff and inaction during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs. The allegations have not been tested in court. It’s a similar case to the one put forward by Kyle Beach, which was ultimately settled out of court.
Laraque Speaks Out Against Racism, The 'Biggest Battle' Of His Life
Continuing the look at hockey culture, ex-NHL player Georges Laraque spoke out against the alleged racist acts of two members of Gatineau's Intrepid M15 AAA against a Black teammate while also sharing his own experience.
“It’s a real shame. Something has to be done. It doesn’t make sense,” he told le Droit in a translated interview from French. “The players who did this should have been automatically suspended, suspended from school. It's a crime what they did. Those who said that what happens in the locker room stays in the locker room are hypocrites. The parents who tried to diminish the act that was done, they are disgusting.”
As a youth playing in Quebec, Laraque himself faced rampant racism from fans and opponents.
“The parents called me an (N-word) in the stands, the young people from the other teams too, they sang songs with that word in it, it was ridiculous. The only motivation I had was to shut the door on them by breaking into the National League. It was the biggest battle of my life.”
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Second Ex-Blackhawks Player Sues Team for Alleged Sexual Assault and Cover-Up
On Monday, lawyers for a former Chicago Blackhawks player from the 2009-10 Stanley Cup run alleged the team allowed sexually abusive conduct by a former video coach to continue.
Warning: The following story deals with allegations of sexual assault and may be upsetting or offensive to some readers.
The Chicago Blackhawks are facing another lawsuit, this time civil litigation for alleged sexual abuse of a player, John Doe, and a related cover-up in 2010. The Chicago Tribune's Phillip Thompson first reported the lawsuit on Sunday.
John Doe chose to remain anonymous, allowing his lawyers at Romanucci & Blandin to speak on his behalf at a press conference Monday.
According to Antonio Romanucci, founding partner of Romanucci & Blandin, John Doe and their law firm filed the new lawsuit against the Chicago Blackhawks “for allowing and perpetuating this conduct and placing winning over the health and wellfare of their players.”
That conduct allegedly involved John Doe being sexually abused by Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich during the 2010 season, specifically during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Aldrich was only exposed a decade later when former Blackhawks prospect Kyle Beach filed a lawsuit of his own against the club. By this time, Aldrich had gone on to allegedly sexually abuse other hockey players at the youth level. He pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual assault of a high-school player and was sentenced to nine months in jail.
“This case is about institutional negligence at its worst, where the culture of win at all cost allowed a predator coach to abuse players at a time when the coach knew he could act with impunity…because the team was on a winning roll,” said Romanucci in his statements.
Beach reached a settlement with the Blackhawks in 2021 regarding his own alleged assault by Aldrich, which team officials knew about and chose not to act on until after the Blackhawks had won the 2010 Stanley Cup. At that time, the Blackhawks pledged to change and be a better organization, a point that Romanucci says will be put to the test in this lawsuit.
As Romanucci called it, the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team did “their own version of a hat trick” in how they responded to Aldrich’s abuse of players, which included assigning a doctor to John Doe, who lawyers alleged “gaslight” him, placing blame for the actions on the player.
In his statements, Romanucci described this “hat trick” as the team “Allowing our client to be groomed and abused by a sexual predator, failing to stop the behavior, terminate and report this predatory coach; and lastly, blame the victim, blame John Doe.”
The lawsuit was filed on Nov. 2 in Cook County Circuit Court, with the Chicago Blackhawks as the sole defendant, and seeks a jury trial. The complaint includes six counts: “negligent hiring and retention of Brad Aldrich, negligent supervision, negligent infliction of emotional distress, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violations of the gender violences act.”
The allegations in this latest lawsuit have not been proven in court. The Blackhawks declined to comment on details but said the team takes allegations of workplace conduct seriously and implemented numerous improvements throughout the organization to ensure the safety and well-being of their employers and players, per the Tribune's report.
Jason Friedl, senior attorney in the case, said during the recall of John Doe from the AHL for the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs, Aldrich allegedly “had direct and constant access to the plaintiff and used his authority as part of the coaching staff to groom, to harass, to threaten, and ultimately to assault the plaintiff for his own sexual gratification.”
Those allegations included sneaking up on the plaintiff while he was having sexual intercourse with a woman and rubbing his feet in the dark, sending photos of his genitals to the player, discussing oral sex with the plaintiff, playing pornography in front of players, offering to pay for sexual favors for the player on the condition he could watch, and “ultimately threatening our client’s career if he reported these actions.”
John Doe allegedly did report the actions to the Blackhawks’ team president, but according to lawyers, no action was taken.
Romanucci & Blandin are seeking financial compensation for the damages done.
THN's Chicago Blackhawks site has more on the lawsuit, Monday's press conference and a team meeting following Sunday's game against the New Jersey Devils.
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'Sports Do Change Over Time': New Hockey Canada CEO Aims for Proper Inclusion
Katherine Henderson was saddened when she saw the grief Canadians had toward Hockey Canada. The organization's new CEO said its job is to listen and ensure every hockey player and staff can participate without exclusion or embarrassment, writes Ian Kennedy.
Hockey Canada CEO Katherine Henderson has only been at her new job for under two months.
She believes, however, the organization is progressing, made significant changes to policy and is ready to provide transparency and accountability as it works toward regaining the trust of Canadians.
That’s not to say Henderson fails to acknowledge the significant work still to be done and the significant harm caused under Hockey Canada’s watch. On the contrary, she’s well aware and prepared to take on the task at hand.
Henderson, the first woman to ever hold the role as Hockey Canada’s CEO, joined the organization this year after holding the CEO role at Curling Canada. Her hiring provides an outside voice – although Henderson has been around hockey her entire life – to help guide Hockey Canada out of a period filled with scandal, cover-up and harm done to participants and bystanders.
“The game of hockey is fantastic. I love it. As do many, many Canadians,” Henderson told The Hockey News. “Mostly everybody in Canada has been touched by hockey, and it saddened me when I saw the grief and the disappointment that Canadians had about what was going on at Hockey Canada.”
Hockey Canada has faced a reckoning following allegations of sexual assault involving members of the 2018 Canadian world junior team and the misuse of funds to conceal that allegation and others. Members of the 2003 world junior team are also currently under investigation for similar allegations of sexual assault. While the allegations have not been proven in court, the breadth of abuse and gender-based violence in hockey has become a widely acknowledged issue since these discussions began.
Regarding the 2018 investigation, it’s now in the hands of police and the NHL. Hockey Canada, as Henderson said, has handed over all of its findings and continues to co-operate with authorities in any way possible.
“Like the public at this point, we are in waiting mode to see what these three independent entities are going to do and how this information informs their adjudicative process, their judicial process, if you’re the police, their criminal process,” Henderson said. “But what we’ve done, from what I understand, is we’ve co-operated with everyone, and that would be the intent going forward for sure.”
Even when the results finally come out, there’s a long road ahead toward addressing issues of systemic abuse, violence, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, racism and elitism in hockey.
"It’s a complex issue. It’s a historic issue as well," said Henderson. "I can’t go and undo things that were done in the past, but what I can say is I take it very seriously that my role and the role of the organization is to earn back the trust of the Canadian public and the Canadian people.
"We have to do that through our actions and what we’re doing going forward…There’s a good group of people that I’m working with right now who are wishing to and are in the process of making some very foundational and fundamental change."
Among those people, in Henderson’s eyes, are the now outgoing transitional board of directors. The group came on for a short term to alter the direction of Hockey Canada, aid in the search for a CEO and begin putting policy in place to improve safety and combat the toxic aspects of hockey’s culture.
The harm of that culture, according to Henderson, was on full display at Hockey Canada’s first "Beyond the Boards Summit" this past September. There, the organization heard research presented by hockey scholar Dr. Teresa Fowler, with the hope of not only developing policy, raising awareness and educating but also getting to the root cause of hockey’s ongoing issues.
"One of the saddest things I think for me in "Beyond the Boards" was some of the work that Dr. Teresa Fowler did when she was taking a look at these young men, many of whom were entering into cultures, into dressing rooms, into places where they were uncomfortable with what they were doing, the sort of stereotypes or the tropes that they were being asked to conform to, and it was making them anxious and sad.
"If in any way, shape or form, this sport is contributing to that, not only are we not doing well by our communities, we’re not doing well by these young men either."
After understanding the root cause, Henderson said better plans of action can be put in place to address these issues and ensure any changes are applied consistently. It won’t come easy, however, as Henderson expects pushback from those resistant to change within the sport. But as she said, there’s always been pushback with progress in hockey, but the game will continue to involve.
As Henderson said, when sport acknowledged concussions, Rowan’s Law came into force in Ontario; when sport acknowledged head safety, helmets became mandatory and have continued to evolve. Change for Hockey Canada might not come in one big step but rather, as Henderson said, in many small steps that show progress.
"Sports do change over time," Henderson said. "I want to be a big part of that change, and so part of it is understanding root causes. Then the next part is really understanding what are the interventions and with who. Because it isn’t just educating 16-year-olds or 12-year-olds; you have to educate the coaches, you have to educate the parents, you have to educate the team owners."
They’re big questions Hockey Canada continues to battle with. When her work is done, however, Henderson hopes more Canadians will remain involved in the sport, playing, coaching, officiating, volunteering, and acting as fans “as their true selves” in an “environment where you feel that you’re included,” and in a system that openly listens to the voices of players, families, and Canadians.
At times, there may be questions, concerns, or misunderstandings about certain policies and plans.
Recently, many responded with confusion related to Hockey Canada’s new “base layer” policy, mandating that all youth arrive at the arena with a base layer of clothing or equipment on so that youth would be clothed in locker rooms in the presence of adults and their peers.
Henderson knows there were issues with how the policy was communicated, leading to undue concern, but she sees even that miscommunication as an opportunity for the organization to grow.
"I’ll go on the record saying it’s probably not as well communicated... but what I really hope people understand is the why," Henderson said. "Why would you put in a policy like that? It has nothing to do with anything other than making sure that there’s never a kid that is not welcome in a dressing room."
"It’s a really big part of the hockey experience, sitting with your teammates and discussing things before and after. There are kids out there that, for one reason or another - it’s puberty, it’s transitioning, it’s a mixed team - feel uncomfortable changing in front of their peers, and we just want to take that away.
"It’s a really, really good practice to take things that make people feel less than or excluded, or embarrassed. We try to eliminate as much of those as possible so we can just concentrate on hockey, and that was really the intent behind it.”
As Henderson said, change is rarely met with immediate acceptance and understanding, pointing to historic examples of mouthguards, concussion protocols and visors as items that were all met with skepticism but have now become standard and well-accepted safeguards in the game. But Hockey Canada's members coast-to-coast are working to implement this next change, she added.
While Henderson does not claim to know all of the answers, she does assert her willingness to do something to ensure all Canadians have a voice in the sport they love and that the game can continue to grow and welcome new, diverse populations. To achieve this, Henderson pledges she and Hockey Canada will listen.
"A lot of it is just continuing to listen," said Henderson. "Hockey is going to evolve all the time…as a hockey organization, as a hockey community, we have to look and say, 'When new people come in, they bring a tremendous amount of value to us. They actually improve the game of hockey by being here, by telling us what they need.'
"I think a lot of what you’ll see from us coming forward is a lot of that, it’s that type of listening, particularly with younger people as they’re coming into the game."
Henderson wants the game to change, not because the game is flawed, but because she hopes more people can enjoy the sport she and many Canadians love. In the wake of Hockey Canada’s scandals, it will take sweeping change to make the sport something positive and safe for all participants. According to Henderson, however, the monumental task of transformational change is Hockey Canada’s job to do.
"What do you need to make this an incredible experience, a lifelong journey? To make you want to come back and coach and volunteer, and be a referee, or play for life, or be in a big league?
"Whatever those things are, whatever your hopes and dreams are related to hockey, we just really need to figure out how to get you into the system, listen to you, and help you on your way. That’s our job."
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Six NHL Veterans Who Were Released from Their PTOs
A ton of players were on professional tryouts during the pre-season vying for spots in the NHL. But it's back to the job board for most, including these six veterans.
NHL rosters are nearing completion as teams decide what to do with their top prospects, sending some to the AHL and others to major junior. Most teams also have players on tryout agreements to deal with.
Players attending NHL training camps are not only playing for a spot with the team they’re skating with but also hoping to catch the eye of another team at the NHL or AHL level through their pre-season performance.
Sometimes, however, an unsuccessful PTO is the end of the line as it was for 34-year-old Brandon Sutter, who retired as he was released from his PTO by the Edmonton Oilers. Sutter, who played 770 NHL games, was attempting a comeback after spending the last two seasons out of the league.
This season, more than 50 players entered NHL training camps on professional tryouts. While some will inevitably sign, most will be released, including these six notable NHL veterans.
Ryan Dzingel, C, Arizona Coyotes
It wasn’t that long ago Ryan Dzingel was a sought-after player in the NHL. The 31-year-old veteran of more than 400 NHL games had back-to-back 20-goal seasons with the Ottawa Senators before his production fell off a cliff after signing with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2019-20. Since then, Dzingel has bounced between teams and last season played in the AHL. He only played one match for the Coyotes in the pre-season as part of a three-game day early on. If he hopes to prolong his career, Dzingel might again look to the AHL or overseas.
Artem Anisimov, C, Detroit Red Wings
A few seasons ago, the Detroit Red Wings may have jumped at the opportunity to add a player with Anisimov’s size and proven track record as a middle-six scorer. Detroit’s newfound depth up front, however, made the 35-year-old Anisimov a veteran addition the Wings couldn’t find room for. Anisimov played two pre-season games for Detroit, recording two shots and a minus-two rating.
The 6-foot-4 center spent last season in AHL Lehigh Valley and the 2021-22 campaign in KHL Yaroslavl. Anisimov may be headed back to Russia to play in the KHL in order to cash in for another season or a few.
Josh Bailey, RW, Ottawa Senators
Bailey played 1,057 regular-season games in his NHL career so far, all with the New York Islanders, including the last five seasons as an alternate captain. After recording 44 points in 2021-22, Bailey's production dipped last season, with 25 points in 64 games and spending time as a healthy scratch. The Islanders traded him to Chicago in June, who then bought out the final season of a six-year contract worth $5 million annually.
The 34-year-old made a strong case to earn a deal with the Senators, recording a goal and five assists for six points in six pre-season games. But Ottawa is pressed up against the salary cap, still needs to figure out a new contract for RFA Shane Pinto and saw decent showings from bubble players already signed. Bailey could potentially get a deal elsewhere, but his slower pace began to show.
Nick Ritchie, LW, St. Louis Blues
Ritchie played 74 games in the NHL last season, recording 26 points with the Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames. The former 10th overall pick plays a power forward game but never lived up to his scoring potential. He’s had shots with Anaheim, Toronto, Boston, Arizona and Calgary but has never found a top-six spot he could hold. In three games for the Blues, Ritchie had one assist, six shots, a minus-two rating and 17 penalty minutes.
At 27, Ritchie still has runway on his career but will almost certainly need to look to the AHL or overseas this season in order to prove he can produce.
Scott Harrington, D, Anaheim Ducks
The 30-year-old blueliner has played 255 NHL games, including 45 last season split between Anaheim and San Jose. When healthy, Harrington can add consistent veteran depth to a blueline. The 6-foot-2 left-shot defender is headed to the AHL with the San Diego Gulls, meaning his tryout with the Anaheim Ducks may be over for now after two pre-season games, but he’s still in a position to earn a contract as the season progresses.
Nathan Beaulieu, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Beaulieu spent 52 games in the NHL last season with the Anaheim Ducks. He only recorded four assists but played bottom-pairing minutes, providing a physical presence on the blueline. He appeared in three games and had six shots.
Beaulieu could draw depth interest from a team looking for stability on the back end, but he’ll almost certainly need to start in the AHL and earn his way back to the big leagues.
Other Notable Names Released
While these six players headline the released NHL veterans, there are definitely more names who came and went at NHL training camps. Goaltenders J-F Berube and Aaron Dell were both in camp but couldn’t crack an opening night roster spot. The same can be said for forwards Cory Conacher, Peter Holland, Justin Bailey, Alex Chiasson, Cal O’Reilly, Charles Hudon, Brendan Perlini, Nicholas Shore and Kieffer Bellows. Defenseman Jordie Benn, 36, also couldn't lock down a spot in Dallas.
Zach Aston-Reese was released from his PTO by Carolina, but he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.
Who is Still Fighting for a Contract?
While most of the PTOs who entered camp as NHL hopefuls are back on the market, a handful continue fighting for roster spots.
In Edmonton, forwards Sam Gagner and Adam Erne are both looking to grab fourth-line spots, and both are capable of playing a depth role with penalty-kill potential. Other notable contenders for contracts include Maxime Comtois in Vegas, Danton Heinen in Boston and Noah Gregor in Toronto.
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Top Brother-Sister Pairings on Hockey's Biggest Stages
From Jesse and J.T. Compher to Amanda and Phil Kessel, there are a handful of elite brother-sister pairings at hockey's top levels. And there are more on the way.
Sibling pairs have dotted NHL rosters for more than half a century.
Henri and Maurice Richard may be the most successful sibling duo in NHL history, but names like Esposito, Sedin, Sutter, Mahovlich and Niedermayer have dotted the history books of professional men’s hockey.
With the launch of the new PWHL, North America’s new professional league for women, there’s an opportunity for brother-sister pairings to jump into the conversation of the best professional hockey siblings.
While they are both currently out of the game, Amanda and Phil Kessel are certainly hockey’s most decorated brother-sister pairing. Amanda Kessel is taking a year off playing to focus on her new role as a special assistant to the GM with the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, but she was crucial in helping Team USA win World Championship gold in April. It was her fourth World gold, adding to a resumé that also includes Olympic gold, World and Olympic all-star honors, and three NCAA championships. Phil Kessel remains unsigned but won his third Stanley Cup last season with the Vegas Golden Knights and also has an Olympic medal, albeit a silver, and an Olympic all-star nod to his name.
The Kessels, however, aren’t the only prominent brother-sister pairing currently in the game. Here’s a look at some of the top brother-sister players in professional hockey, as well as those making their way to the biggest stage on the men’s and women’s sides of the game.
Jesse and J.T. Compher
Jesse Compher was selected in the fifth round, 26th overall, by Toronto’s franchise in the 2023 PWHL draft. When she steps on the ice in 2024, she'll only be a few hours down the highway from her older brother J.T. Compher, who is signed to play with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. Once that happens, the duo could become the first brother-sister pair to play in the NHL and PWHL in the same season.
Jesse Compher has represented Team USA multiple times, winning World Championship gold, and recently completed her final NCAA season by winning a national championship with Wisconsin. Her brother won his first Stanley Cup in 2022 as a member of the Colorado Avalanche and is entering his first season with the Red Wings after scoring 17 goals and 52 points in 82 games last season.
Jincy and Josh Dunne
Jincy Dunne-Roese went in the third round, 17th overall, in the 2023 PWHL Draft to Ottawa. The Dunne family itself has five hockey-playing siblings, but it’s Jincy and her brother Josh who are at the pinnacle of the sport.
Jincy’s represented USA’s senior national team at the Olympics and World Championships, and the steady blueliner joins PWHL Ottawa after playing two seasons in the PWHPA following her graduation from Ohio State.
Her younger brother Josh played eight games last season with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and had his best offensive output to date with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters, where he’ll again start the 2023-24 season. Perhaps the best player in the Dunne family, however, is the youngest, budding power forward Joy Dunne. She entered USA’s national summer festival this summer as the youngest member of the American development team, and she was a dominant offensive force.
Emilie and Thomas Harley
Perhaps the most menacing brother-sister duo in professional hockey last season was Emilie and Thomas Harley. Emilie Harley, who stands six-foot, patrolled the blueline for the PHF’s Metropolitan Riveters while her 6-foot-3 brother Thomas, a 2019 first-round pick of the Dallas Stars, split his season between the NHL and AHL. Sadly, this duo may have played their final season as a pair, as Emilie Harley chose not to declare for the PWHL draft following the acquisition of her former league, the PHF.
Alex and Robert Carpenter
Alex Carpenter is one of the most decorated women’s hockey players in the USA today. She’s won six World Championship gold and two silver, and a pair of Olympic silver medals. The talented forward served as an assistant captain for USA at the 2023 Worlds and scored nine points in seven games. PWHL New York likes what it sees in Carpenter and signed her in free agency.
Her brother Robert played a handful of games last season for the ECHL’s Florida Everblades. He’s signed to skate with them again in the fifth season of his professional hockey career split between the ECHL and AHL.
Amalie and Frederik Andersen
Had the PHF acquisition not occurred, North America would have had another professional brother-sister pairing in Amalie and Frederik Andersen.
Amalie, a member of Denmark’s national team, was set to join the blueline of the PHF’s Buffalo Beauts, while her brother Frederik has been a longtime netminder at the NHL level and is a current member of the Carolina Hurricanes. Amalie Andersen will instead head to Europe this season to play in Sweden’s second division with Rogle BK.
Abby and Alex Newhook
If there’s a sure thing to join this conversation in the near future, it’s Abby and Alex Newhook. Abby Newhook is one of Canada’s top prospects for their national team program, recently completing her second standout season at Boston College in the NCAA. Her brother Alex is entering his third NHL season. After two strong campaigns with the Colorado Avalanche, who selected him 16th overall in 2019, he’ll join the Montreal Canadiens this season.
More to Come
The list of top sibling pairs doesn’t end there. Prospects to reach the next level are abundant in the NCAA and minor leagues. Perhaps the most prominent duo in the group is Jade and Tij Iginla, who are both considered top prospects in the sport. Other brother-sister groups to watch include Liliane, Jacob, and Gabriel Perreault, Avery and Owen Pickering, Dominique and Lukas Cormier, Abby and Brady Stonehouse, and Sydney and Scott Morrow.
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Hockey Canada's September Summit Aims to Combat Toxic Culture of the Sport
Scholars, media and advocates are being brought together to tackle toxic issues in hockey culture at Hockey Canada's Beyond the Boards summit in September.
Hockey Canada wants to combat the toxic culture of the sport. In a year Hockey Canada has faced intense scrutiny related to issues of sexual assault, the organization is hoping their new Beyond the Boards series of summits will help guide the organization and the sport to a healthier, safer place.
Their first event, according to Hockey Canada’s chief operating officer Pat McLaughlin, isn’t looking to fix the symptoms, it’s looking to combat the root cause, toxic masculinity.
“We’re at a point now where we want to get to the root cause of culture,” McLaughlin told The Hockey News. “We wanted an event that was going to make us incredibly uncomfortable and to tackle the core of our culture.”
The event, taking place Sept. 8 and 9 in Calgary, is bringing together scholars, media, and advocates, many of whom have been critical of Hockey Canada, to help shift the conversation and combat harmful masculinity. As McLaughlin said, Hockey Canada is hoping to lean on research and data to guide their approach, which is why they brought in hockey scholar Teresa Fowler to help guide the inaugural event.
“There’s many hockey cultures, but what we’re talking about here is elite masculine hockey culture,” said Fowler, who has a PhD in philosophy, curriculum and learning. “In Canada, hockey is so ingrained with our national identity and the one we uphold the most in this country is men’s ice hockey, so it’s important to get at the root of masculinity within that elite culture because little kids are looking up to these players, other people want to have a safe space in hockey. There clearly is something that needs to be addressed, so that’s why starting with masculinity spills out the other topics the next summits will talk about.”
Those other summits will combat racism, homophobia and other issues facing the game, but according to Fowler, it’s the overarching issue of how hockey defines masculinity, and systems of white supremacy that are at the root.
For Fowler, looking at how aspects of the game, including violence, and the narrow definition of what it means to be a man in hockey are important topics to discuss.
“There’s a narrow focus that we think of when we think of masculinity and hockey, there’s only one way,” said Fowler. “When we talk about one way it is to be a man, we’re already nixing all the other ways, and that excludes so many children, and so many women and girls from hockey.”
Fowler also hopes to discuss the glorification of violence in hockey, citing a recent study that found hockey enforcers die on average 10 years younger than other hockey players.
“What would happen if there wasn’t violence in hockey? Then you get to see the skills, the quality, the beauty of the game. When we talk about changing the game, we need to look at the impact it’s having on men. What is the impact of violence in men.”
The event is scheduled to include sessions discussing the Intersection of Masculinity and Hockey led by Bill Proudman, keynote speeches from Carla Qualtrough, Jamie Clarke and Sheldon Kennedy and a literature review on hockey culture by Fowler.
While Hockey Canada claims to have come a long way, achieving many items descried in their Action Plan, McLaughlin acknowledges Hockey Canada now knows their learning will be ongoing, and that it’s necessary to ask for help from experts to guide the future of the game.
“At Hockey Canada, we’ll be the first to say we’re definitely in learning mode in this space, and we have a lot to continue to learn,” said McLaughlin. “This summit is going to make a people feel very uncomfortable, and we need to do that in order to improve.”
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Significant NHL Milestones Are In Reach for Handful of Players
Whether it's Phil Kessel near 1,000 points or Marc-Andre Fleury approaching huge achievements, a few NHL players are on milestone watch in 2023-24.
Last season, Steven Stamkos, Patrice Bergeron, Claude Giroux, and Joe Pavelski all hit 1,000 career points. They were the 2022-23 milestone men.
This season, another cohort of players is approaching career milestones that deserve celebration. Whether it’s points, goals, wins, penalty minutes or games played, the list of NHL players aiming to achieve a career moment in 2023-24 is long and star studded. Here’s a look at some of the potential milestones to be reached and surpassed this coming season.
Who Will Hit 1,000 Points?
No one is closer than Phil Kessel, but perhaps no one is farther than Phil Kessel from perhaps the most significant career milestone any player can hit.
Kessel sits only eight points shy at 992 after scoring 36 points last season for the Vegas Golden Knights and winning his third career Stanley Cup. Kessel however, is the only player in range of 1,000 points who is currently unsigned. Fans will want to see ‘Phil the Thrill’ hit the milestone, which he certainly will if an NHL team takes him on.
Without Kessel signed, the player certain to hit 1,000 points first during the 2023-24 NHL season is Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares who currently sits 25 points away at 975. It’s a milestone only six players have ever accomplished while wearing a Maple Leafs’ jersey. Tavares will likely join this group of Doug Gilmour, Mats Sundin, Alexander Mogilny, Norm Ullman, Larry Murphy and Glenn Anderson before the calendar turns to 2024. Mogilny was the last to achieve the mark for the Leafs in March 2004.
Barring a miracle season from Blake Wheeler, finding the form he had several seasons ago, the 36-year-old who needs 78 points this season likely won’t eclipse the 1,000-point mark this year. Wheeler is signed to a one-year $800,000 contract with the New York Rangers this season.
That leaves only one other player in range. And also, that range is a massive 150 points out. If anyone can compile that total, it’s the best player on the planet, Connor McDavid. McDavid enters this season with 850 career points, all in an Edmonton Oilers uniform. For an average mortal, 150 points would seem outrageous, but for McDavid, who notched 153 last season, anything is possible.
Marchand Could Hit a Quadruple Mark
Without Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, things will not be easy this season for Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand. That said, the Bruins still have plenty of firepower, and Marchand has four milestones within range, three of which he’s almost certain to hit.
First, Marchand is only 10 assists away from 500 and 27 penalty minutes from 1,000 in his pesky career. If he stays healthy, Marchand will also eclipse 1,000 career games, as he currently sits only 53 games shy of the mark. Finally, Marchand is 28 goals shy of 400. Last season, Marchand saw his goal total slip to 21. He could easily rebound from that total, his first in eight years of not hitting at least 28 goals, and have a quadruple-milestone campaign.
Fleury Continues to Climb the All-Time Ladder
Marc Andre Fleury already sits fourth all-time among NHL goalies in games played. If the 38-year-old who played 46 games last season appears in 15 more, he’ll also become only the fourth goalie in NHL history to ever play 1,000 games.
If he can duplicate his starts total from last year, Fleury would also pass Patrik Roy into third all-time in games played by a goalie, breaking Roy’s 1,029-game mark. It’s not the only total Fleury is threatening to leapfrog of Roy’s, either. Should Fleury win a very achievable eight games this year, he’d pass Roy into second all-time in wins by an NHL netminder.
Will There Be a 500-Goal Scorer This Season?
Scoring 500 career goals is becoming more rare. Currently, only three active NHL players – Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Steven Stamkos – have surpassed the mark. Only one player in the NHL has a chance to join that club this season, and that player is Evgeni Malkin. Considering the 37-year-old scored 27 goals last season, it’s not out of reach for Malkin to hit the 500-goal mark this season. He currently sits at 471.
Other Milestones Set to Be Attained
Beyond this group, dozens of NHL players are expected to hit significant career milestones this season.
Ryan O’Reilly is only nine games shy of 1,000 and will likely hit the mark in a Nashville Predators uniform instead of a Leafs jersey as many in Toronto had hoped.
Beyond O’Reilly and Fleury, there’s a long list of players who could and should crack the 1,000-game plateau this season if they remain healthy. That list includes Kyle Okposo (984), Matt Duchene (976), Victor Hedman (974), T.J. Oshie (958), Lars Eller (954), Alex Pietrangelo (952), Brad Marchand (947), Jordan Eberle (940), James Van Riemsdyk (940), Anton Stralman (938), Luke Schenn (933), Jeff Skinner (932), Nick Leddy (929), Logan Couture (927), and John Carlson (927). Erik Karlsson and Erik Johnson will both need almost perfect health, as each needs 80 games to hit 1,000. and Tyler Myers would need to play all 82 games.
Karlsson has another milestone to be toppled, which is hitting 600 career assists. He needs 17, which, given his output last year, shouldn’t take long. Another offensive defender closing in on the same mark is Brent Burns, who needs only seven helpers to hit 600.
While 1,000 penalty-minute players used to be a dime a dozen, it’s becoming more of a rarity as the age of the enforcer is fading away. Marchand is the closest, but he could be beat to the punch by Patrick Maroon, who led the NHL last season with 150 penalty minutes. Maroon sits 70 minutes from the mark.
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