Junior hockey players in the Canadian Hockey League who have experienced abuse or hazing might be entitled to compensation through legal channels. The Ontario Superior Court has greenlit a process for players from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) to pursue claims for alleged mistreatment, bullying, or hazing incidents. Claims are being accepted from both current and former players, spanning back to 1975, the establishment year of the CHL.
Koskie Minsky LLP, a law firm based in Toronto, is managing the claims process, with a deadline set for April 6 for submissions. Gerry Antman, a partner and lawyer at the firm, specializes in cases involving institutional abuse and class actions related to personal injuries. He emphasized the unique aspect of this procedure, where players must proactively seek inclusion by detailing the abuse they endured and its lasting effects on their lives.
Following the court’s decision to not certify a class action proposed by ex-players against the CHL, the opt-in process was initiated. Antman’s firm regularly hears from former junior hockey players recounting their abuse experiences, some of which are recent. When pressed for specifics on the alleged incidents over the years, Antman refrained, citing the graphic nature of the details.
In response to inquiries, OHL spokesperson Josh Sweetland conveyed the league and its teams’ endorsement of the court’s opt-in mechanism. He mentioned that the league and its teams are complying with the court’s directives by disseminating notices about the process on their platforms. Stressing the commitment to player safety and well-being, Sweetland refrained from commenting on individual accusations due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
Antman outlined that in each lawsuit, the CHL, the respective regional league, and the implicated team(s) would be listed as defendants responsible for any potential compensation payouts. He assured that their team is equipped to assist individuals through the process in a supportive and trauma-informed manner.
