B.C. junior hockey team fined and 2 players suspended for alleged hazing

A B.C. junior hockey team has been fined and two players suspended after a league investigation into allegations of hazing.

The Creston Valley Thunder Cats has been fined and placed on two years probation by the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League following a week-long investigation into hazing allegations, the league announced on Monday. The amount of the fine was not disclosed.

The team's captain, 20-year-old Clayton Brown, is suspended for 12 games for violating the league's player conduct policy. Alternate captain Campbell McLean, 19, is suspended for six games.

The allegations were reported to the team on Sept. 13, with league officials travelling two days later to conduct interviews with players and coaching staff. The league then suspended team activities, including cancelling an exhibition game.

"What occurred in Creston was unacceptable, and the discipline imposed against the Thunder Cats' organization and members of the team reflects our zero-tolerance approach to these types of incidents," said Commissioner Jeff Dubois in a written statement.

Dubois said the team is committed to a safe and inclusive environment for players, staff and fans. The league's regular season begins Sept. 23.

"Our investigation made clear that we have considerable work to do in order to educate our players on the standard of behaviour and leadership expected of them in a team environment," he said.

The team is on a two year probation period where "it must take proactive steps to ensure a positive team culture free from abuse, bullying and harassment," the league said.

CBC News has reached out to the team for additional comment, as well as the RCMP, to determine whether there is a police investigation.

The incident marks the