Junior hockey players in the Canadian Hockey League who have experienced abuse or hazing may now have the opportunity to seek compensation through the legal system. The Ontario Superior Court has approved a procedure for players from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) to pursue claims for alleged mistreatment dating back to the establishment of the CHL in 1975.
Claims are being accepted from both current and former players until April 6, overseen by the Toronto-based law firm Koskie Minsky LLP. Gerry Antman, a lawyer and partner at the firm, specializes in cases involving institutional abuse and personal injuries, emphasizing that this process differs from a traditional class action as players need to apply to be part of it.
Players are required to detail the abuse they endured and its lasting effects on them, from their childhood to adulthood. This opt-in process follows the rejection by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice of a proposed class action by former players against the CHL.
Antman revealed that his firm regularly hears from former junior hockey players who have encountered abuse, even in recent years. He acknowledged the disturbing nature of the incidents reported by players and stressed the importance of addressing such behavior in the present day.
In response to the court’s initiative, OHL spokesperson Josh Sweetland expressed support from the CHL and its teams for the opt-in process. While affirming the league’s commitment to player safety, Sweetland refrained from commenting on specific allegations due to the legal proceedings.
Each lawsuit will name the CHL, the relevant regional league, and the player’s team or teams as defendants, with potential compensation responsibilities falling on them. Antman reassured that his team is prepared to assist individuals through the process with a focus on ensuring access to justice in a supportive and trauma-informed manner.
