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Hockey Canada’s CEO & Board Members Resign, Issues Not Over
Hockey Canada’s CEO and board members resign as the investigation into alleged sexual assault claims continues.
Big news struck the hockey world today, as Hockey Canada announced that its CEO and all its board members have stepped down amid accusations that the organization had taken part in undisclosed settlements with alleged sexual assault victims. The most recent accusation allegedly took place in 2018, but one accusation stretches all the way back to 2003.
The news comes just days after Andrea Skinner—Hockey Canada’s interim board chair—announced her resignation from the organization, stating, “…Upon reflection, it is clear to me from recent events that it no longer makes sense for me to continue to volunteer my time as Interim Chair or as a Director of the organization…”
Hockey Canada has been under intense scrutiny since May, when a woman alleged that she was sexually assaulted by several members of the Canadian world junior hockey team back in 2018. Then, in June, the Canadian federal government stopped all funding to the organization and ordered a deep-dive into the financial dealings of the organization.
A month later, in July, it was discovered that Hockey Canada had used registration fees from minor hockey players to pay for what was termed “uninsured liabilities,” which included sexual assault accusations. However, Hockey Canada said that this was a practice that they had stopped. This has raised questions about the prolonged lack of financial transparency by Hockey Canada.
MP John Nater had the following to say about Hockey Canada CEO Scott Smith’s departure: “Frankly, it should have happened months ago. I’m angry… We need to know if there was a payout, how much of a payout there was, and what funds were used for that payout.”
MP Peter Julian weighed in on the fact that the process of choosing Hockey Canada’s future board members must be more transparent, perhaps ensuring that the victims of these accusations are prioritized over the reputation of the organization: “The proof will be in the process. Will the [new] board include people who have been critical of Hockey Canada in the past? The process for appointing a new board needs to be transparent and it cannot be a board who feels its role is rubber stamping.”
It was not two days later that another sexual assault claim bubbled to the surface. This incident allegedly took place in 2003, involving, again, members of Canada’s world junior hockey team. The Halifax Regional Police are now actively involved in the investigation, according to CTV News.
Still So Many Questions Surrounding Hockey Canada
As Ian Kennedy of The Hockey News writes, there are a lot of questions left to be answered. Where things go from here, and who makes those decisions will be key to getting Hockey Canada back on the right track. He asks:
“A few questions for Hockey Canada following today’s resignations. 1. Who is appointing the “interim management committee?” Was this done by outgoing staff/board? 2. Who is on the “independent” Nominating Committee? 3. Did Smith or board begin this process prior to leaving?”
These are all fair questions and when he later points to the statement released by Hockey Canada with respect to who will be making big decisions moving forward, the argument that little has changed might be valid. Hockey Canada noted that an interim management committee will oversee the transition and be responsible for facilitating a transition to a new CEO. In other words, as Kennedy points out, “When you read this, you realize…Hockey Canada is still controlling Hockey Canada. Current directors and “stakeholders” guiding the plan for interim management. Little has changed and the machine continues to forge ahead.”
Needless to say, the organization has a lot of work to do to repair its reputation and clean up a very public mess that was only made worse by choosing to make changes only after sponsors backed away.
Issues Reach Beyond Just Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada isn’t the only organization battling sexual assault accusations. The Chicago Blackhawks have come under heavy criticism after one of its former players accused one of the hockey club’s assistant coaches of sexually assaulting him in 2010.
More recently, the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL) released a statement Sunday, saying that head athletic director Chad Drown had been faced with felony charges relating to contacting a minor to commit a sexual offense in California. The Edmonton Oilers—the Condors’ NHL affiliate—have publicly stated that they are in full support of the decision made.
It’s more important than ever for the hockey community to continue to hold perpetrators of sexual assault and sexual abuse accountable for their actions. The integrity of the sport depends on it.
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