Hockey Canada won't discuss player sanctions as panel completes report on sexual assault claim

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Hockey Canada says a third-party adjudicative panel has completed its final report on possible sanctions against former World Junior players who allegedly were involved in a 2018 group sexual assault in London, Ont.

But the hockey organization isn't releasing the results — or stating whether the report recommends sanctions against any of the players — because it says the panel's conclusions are now under appeal.

"As the appeal process, which we anticipate will begin in the near future, will be conducted in-camera, we are 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," Jeremy Knight, a spokesperson for Hockey Canada, said in a press release.

The hockey organization says it received a notice of appeal shortly after the adjudicative panel — made up of two retired judges and a senior lawyer — shared its final report with all of the parties involved, including the players and the alleged victim. Hockey Canada won't say who filed the appeal. 

The adjudicative panel's work is being conducted behind closed doors. Hockey Canada won't name the three members of what it calls an independent panel. Hockey Canada tasked the panel with determining if the players breached its code of conduct.

The high-profile case centres on a lawsuit Hockey Canada settled with a young woman who alleged in April 2022 that she was sexually assaulted in 2018 by eight Canadian Hockey League players, including members of the World Junior team. 

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