Hockey Canada's new leadership should include voices from outside the sport, says expert

With the impending departure of Hockey Canada's leadership, discussion has shifted to who should form its new board of directors.

Laura Misener, director of the School of Kinesiology at Western University and a researcher in sport and social impact, says at least some of its new leaders should come from outside the world of hockey

"It's difficult to change a culture when you've become acculturated; you've grown up within the culture because that's really what you know, you love it, you're passionate about it," Misener told The Current's Matt Galloway.

Misener said Hockey Canada could use a voice from another sport that's been through a similar reckoning — or someone from the business sector who understands change management and "can really manage the change as we move forward."

"It doesn't mean we're not going to bring the hockey people back into the mix and into the fold and have that representation and have that voice," she said. "But I think we need to hear a different voice at the table to really achieve that culture shift."

Hockey Canada announced its CEO and entire board of directors will step aside Tuesday. The organization said in a statement that an interim management committee will be put in place until a new board appoints a new CEO to lead the organization.

WATCH: Sport minister 'welcomes' Hockey Canada CEO's resignation

The decision comes after months of widespread criticism over its handling of an alleged group sexual assault involving members of the 2018 world junior hockey team.

A virtual election for the new board is scheduled for Dec. 17. Hockey Canada's statement says the current board will not seek re-election.

It also follows a mass pull-out by several major sponsors, including Bauer, who have paused