The president of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario confirms a U-15 hockey team with the West London Minor Hockey Association has been disbanded. This comes after reports of videos being taken of the players in the showers.
Reports say videos were taken of the players and posted on the social media app Snapchat. It is not confirmed what arena the incident took place.
StarTech Community Centre, home ice for the team | Credit: City of London
Two players were suspended and three coaches were suspended indefinitely, pending a disciplinary hearing.
Hockey Canada states that two screened adults must be monitoring the locker room, and no cellphones or cameras are allowed in the locker room.
“It’s not that the rules are inadequate,” says Carmi Levy, a technology analyst and journalist, “they’re properly worded… but in this case they clearly weren’t enforced.”
Players not involved in the incident were given the opportunity to play for other teams in the league.
The two players involved will be investigated by Hockey Canada’s independent third party process.
A statement from Hockey Canada chief of staff Jeremy Knight reads, “The ITP does not investigate or adjudicate complaints, but it ensures that complaints are processed in a confidential, neutral and procedurally fair manner.”
XFM News reached out for further comments from Hockey Canada, but they were unavailable.
A statement from the London Police Service states, “The London Police Service is aware of a post circulating on social media involving a local boys’ hockey team. As the post relates to an ongoing investigation, there is no further information appropriate for release at this time.”
Levy adds that the best way to stay safe is to be aware of your surroundings and to not be afraid to report incidents in the locker room.
Tait Williamson, the president of West London Minor Hockey, released a statement as well.
