Junior hockey players in the Canadian Hockey League who have experienced abuse or hazing incidents may now have the option to seek compensation through legal channels. The Ontario Superior Court has recently put forth a process for individuals who participated in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) to pursue claims for alleged mistreatment, bullying, or hazing that occurred since the establishment of the CHL in 1975.
Current and former players are eligible to submit their claims, with the deadline set for 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 injury class actions. Unlike a traditional class action lawsuit, players are required to proactively apply to be part of this process.
Applicants must detail the abuse they endured, its effects during their childhood, and the lasting impacts into adulthood. This approach follows the court’s decision not to certify a class action initiated by former players against the CHL.
Antman disclosed that his firm frequently receives accounts of abuse from former junior hockey players, including recent incidents. When questioned about the specifics of the alleged abuse, he mentioned the graphic nature of the details, emphasizing that such misconduct still persists in the present day.
OHL spokesperson Josh Sweetland conveyed the league and its teams’ endorsement of the court’s initiative in establishing the opt-in process. He affirmed that the CHL and its teams have been compliant with the court’s directives by publicizing the process on their platforms. Sweetland reiterated the league’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its players while refraining from commenting on individual allegations due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
In each legal action, the CHL, regional leagues, and implicated teams would be named as defendants, potentially responsible for compensatory payouts. Antman assured that their team is equipped to assist individuals through the process in a supportive and trauma-informed manner.