Alleged assault victim will participate in Hockey Canada’s rekindled investigation

TSN Senior Correspondent

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Content Warning: The following article contains references to sexual assault

A woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by eight Canadian Hockey League players, including some members of Canada’s 2018 World Juniors team, will participate in Hockey Canada’s rekindled investigation into the incident, her lawyer confirmed Thursday.

“My client will be participating in the Hockey Canada investigation and will not be commenting to media at this time due to the reopened investigation,” lawyer Rob Talach wrote in an email sent to TSN on Thursday.

Confirmation the alleged victim will cooperate comes the same day the organization said it would reopen an investigation into her alleged sexual assault following a Hockey Canada event in June 2018.

The investigation will be led by an independent third party and require all players on the 2018 team to participate, the organization said in a statement released on Thursday, adding that those who refuse to cooperate will be banned from all Hockey Canada activities and programs effective immediately.

“Hockey Canada understands that trust is earned, not given,” the organization wrote in its statement. “We have heard from Canadians, players, their families, fans, sponsors and those impacted by what occurred in 2018. We know you are angry and disappointed in Hockey Canada – rightfully so. We know we have not done enough to address the actions of some members of the 2018 National Junior Team, or to end the culture of toxic behaviour within our game. For that we unreservedly apologize.”

Hockey Canada’s announcement comes two months after news of the alleged sexual assault first surfaced. TSN reported that a woman had settled a lawsuit filed in April