Junior hockey players in the Canadian Hockey League who have experienced abuse or hazing may now seek compensation through a legal process. The Ontario Superior Court has approved a procedure for players from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) to file claims for mistreatment, bullying, or hazing incidents. Claims are open to both current and former players dating back to the establishment of the CHL in 1975.
The law firm Koskie Minsky LLP, based in Toronto, is managing the claims process, with a deadline for submissions set for April 6. Gerry Antman, a lawyer and partner at the firm, specializes in cases of institutional abuse and class actions involving personal injuries. Unlike a typical class action lawsuit, players must apply to be part of this process by detailing the abuse they endured, its effects on them as children, and its lasting impacts into adulthood.
Following the court’s decision not to certify a class action lawsuit proposed by former players against the CHL, this opt-in process has been initiated. Antman revealed that his firm frequently hears from former junior hockey players recounting stories of abuse, with some incidents reported as recent as the current seasons. When asked about the specifics of the players’ allegations, Antman mentioned that the details are too explicit to discuss publicly, emphasizing the ongoing nature of such incidents even in the present day.
OHL spokesperson Josh Sweetland conveyed the league and its teams’ support for the court’s initiative in establishing the opt-in process for compensation claims. He stated that the CHL and its teams are complying with the court’s directives by posting notifications about the process on their respective platforms. Sweetland emphasized the CHL’s commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of players, refraining from commenting on individual allegations due to the legal nature of the matter.
In each legal action, the CHL, the relevant regional league, and the player’s team or teams will be named as defendants, ultimately bearing responsibility for any awarded compensation. Antman assured that their team is prepared to assist individuals throughout the process, ensuring they have the necessary support to seek justice in a manner that is sensitive to trauma.