Junior hockey players in the Canadian Hockey League who have experienced abuse or hazing could potentially receive compensation through legal channels. The Ontario Superior Court has recently established a process for players from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) to pursue claims related to alleged mistreatment, harassment, or hazing incidents.
Claims are being accepted from both current and former players, going back to the inception of the CHL in 1975. The law firm Koskie Minsky LLP, based in Toronto, is managing these claims, with a deadline for submissions set for April 6. Gerry Antman, a lawyer and partner at the firm, specializes in cases involving institutional abuse and class actions concerning personal injuries.
This compensation process differs from a typical class action lawsuit as players must apply to be part of it. Applicants are required to detail the nature and extent of the abuse they endured, along with the lasting impacts on their lives from childhood to adulthood.
Following the court’s decision not to approve a class action proposed by former players against the CHL, this opt-in approach was initiated. Antman revealed that his firm frequently hears from former junior hockey players who share accounts of abuse, some of which occurred in recent years. Describing the abuse incidents in detail over the airwaves was deemed too graphic by Antman, underscoring the ongoing presence of such issues in the sport.
An OHL spokesperson, Josh Sweetland, informed CBC via email that both the CHL and its teams endorse the court’s efforts in establishing the opt-in process. The league and its teams have been complying with the court’s directives by publicizing information about the process on their platforms. Sweetland emphasized the commitment of the Canadian Hockey League to player safety and well-being, refraining from commenting on specific allegations due to the legal nature of the matter.
Antman explained that in each legal action, the CHL, the relevant league, and the player’s team or teams would be listed as defendants, ultimately responsible for any potential compensation payouts. The legal team is dedicated to supporting individuals through this process in a compassionate and trauma-informed manner.