IIHF president optimistic about Hockey Canada's future with new board

Luc Tardif watched from afar as Hockey Canada lurched ahead in a scandal-plagued 2022.

After meeting with its new board of directors — a diverse group that better reflects the country's makeup — the president of the International Ice Hockey federation believes the future is bright at the badly damaged organization.

Speaking ahead of the final day of competition at the world junior hockey championship, Tardif said he met face-to-face with board chair Hugh Fraser and the eight directors who were elected last month.

He came away optimistic.

"Those people who were named are perfectly able to redress the situation," the Quebec-born Tardif said at a Thursday press conference inside Scotiabank Centre. "We don't have to throw the baby [out] with the bathwater. There is something still good for ice hockey, but we have to correct.

The previous board resigned in October — president and CEO Scott Smith exited the same day — in the wake of the federation's botched handling of alleged sexual assaults and millions in hushed payments to victims using its little-known National Equity Fund (NEF).

Hockey Canada saw its funding shut off by the federal government, while a number of sponsors have pulled dollars since May when it was revealed a woman alleged she was sexually assaulted by eight players — including members of the 2018 world junior team — following a foundation gala in London, Ont., 4 1/2 years ago.

Hockey Canada and the woman quietly settled a $3.55-million lawsuit out of court.

The organization then announced members of the 2003 men's world junior roster — the last time Halifax hosted — were being investigated for a group sexual assault.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

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