Editor’s Note: The following story deals with sexual assault. If you or someone you know is in need of support, resources for Canadians can be found here.
A lawsuit filed on Tuesday with the Superior Court of Quebec alleges a systemic culture of abuse in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League dating back to the 1970s, filled with sexual, physical and psychological maltreatment.
The class-action suit was originally brought forward by former Quebec minor hockey star Carl Latulippe and was joined Tuesday by five unnamed players, identified as members A-E. The 58-page filing, which has been obtained and reviewed by Sportsnet, details allegations of degrading abuse the six players endured with various teams spanning three decades.
One of the allegations is by a player identified as ‘C’ in the lawsuit, who alleges that, after being taken to a bar and forced to drink until inebriated, the rookies were taken to a home and instructed by a team staff member to have sexual relations with a woman who was there. Player ‘C’ was 17 during his rookie season and alleges he avoided having to do this only when the woman declared she no longer wanted to continue. The lawsuit does not state how many players she had sex with, but says some were crying after leaving the room.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
When contacted by Sportsnet for comment about the allegations, a QMJHL spokesperson issued a statement that read, in part, “The QMJHL has read the Statement of Claim with great compassion,” adding the league does not have all the details and therefore can’t comment further. “Please know that we are doing everything in our power at the league to properly educate and supervise our players and staff. They know it’s essential to behave properly on and off the ice, and that there’s zero tolerance for any form of abuse.”
The lawsuit was allowed to go ahead after the Quebec Court of Appeal rejected a challenge to its authorization by the league on June 25. The Canadian Hockey League, the QMJHL and its 18 teams are listed as defendants.
The players say the alleged abuse has had long-term effects on their mental health.
The lawsuit seeks $650,000 for Latulippe in damages, including pain, suffering and humiliation, as well as lost productivity and therapy costs, and seeks another $15 million to be shared among the other alleged victims.
— With files from The Canadian Press