Change the sport, plead parents of youth suing Ontario hockey academy over alleged bullying

A Cambridge, Ont., family is suing a Kitchener hockey academy over allegations their son was mercilessly bullied by fellow students to the point it damaged his reputation and chances of doing well in the sport.

Gail and Brian DeCaluwe say the bullying escalated from on-ice taunts and hiding equipment, to the arrest of their son Lucas after false claims he was planning a shooting at the school.

His family is suing Victus Academy, a private school and hockey academy for students in Grades 5 to 12, and three students who attended the school during Lucas's time there. 

In the $5.5-million lawsuit's statement of claim, the DeCaluwe family alleges the school knew about the bullying Lucas was facing, but did do enough to stop it. 

"One of my conversations with the staff was, I was told I was being too dramatic, that the boys are just being boys. And to me, that was a very sad statement because that type of behaviour is not typical," Brian said.

The academy has not yet filed a statement of defence in the case. But in an emailed statement to CBC News, the academy's management said it will be "fully defending itself against this claim as we are an academic and athletic school that reinforces respectful behaviour every day in all that we do."

The email said a statement of defence "is in the early stages of preparation." The academy's management declined a request for an interview as the case is now before the courts.

CBC News was unable to reach the three students named in the civil suit or their lawyer. They also have not yet filed a statement of defence.

None of the allegations in the DeCaluwes' statement of claim or made in interviews for this story have been proven in court.

Lucas did not speak to CBC News for this story as his