Three teenagers were arrested in connection with a pair of alleged hazing incidents on a Manitoba hockey team, police say.
The three teens, all 17 years old, were arrested on April 15 for sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault, and forcible confinement, while one was arrested for assault and sexual assault.
None of the allegations have been proven in court, and charges have not been officially laid.
RCMP said the arrests stem from two separate incidents of hazing involving five male victims, aged 15 and 16, who were rookies on the hockey team from the Pembina Valley area.
Police say the incidents happened in November 2023 and January 2024 at a Winnipeg hotel while the team was in the city to play in hockey tournaments.
The three were released on an undertaking, and are scheduled to appear in court in Winnipeg on June 10.
‘We took them very seriously’: RCMP
Staff Sergeant Richard Sherring with the RCMP’s major crimes unit said Mounties began their investigation in February.
“The incident was reported to the Pembina Valley RCMP by a high school principal after it was brought forward to her by one of the coaching staff,” he said.
Sherring said hazing incidents are concerning, and teenagers need to understand that their actions could have serious consequences.
“At the end of the day, every person participating in sports should be able to do so in a safe environment,” he said. “When these allegations were brought forward to us, we took them very seriously and investigated them.”
Sherring said RCMP believes no other charges are expected in this incident.
In a statement, the Manitoba High School Athletic Association said it was aware of the arrests and its primary concern is the health and safety of student-athletes.
“The MHSAA is monitoring the situation and remains committed to providing support to the Prairie Spirit School Division, Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine, and Prairie Rose School Division as they work through this matter,” a statement from the organization reads.
“The allegations are deeply troubling, and we take them very seriously. Given that this remains a legal matter, the MHSAA will refrain from further comments at this time.”
Hockey Manitoba also issued a statement, saying it takes the allegations “very seriously.”
“The alleged behavior has no place in the game of hockey,” said Peter Woods, executive director of Hockey Manitoba, in a statement.
Hockey Manitoba added it had no further comment on the incident as the matter is in the hands of police.
