Junior hockey players in the Canadian Hockey League who have experienced abuse or hazing could receive compensation through legal avenues. The Ontario Superior Court has authorized a process for players from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) to pursue claims for alleged mistreatment. Individuals who have participated in the leagues since the establishment of the CHL in 1975 are eligible to submit claims until April 6, overseen by Toronto’s Koskie Minsky LLP law firm.
Gerry Antman, a lawyer and partner at the firm, specializes in cases of institutional abuse and personal injury class actions. He highlighted the unique nature of this process, requiring players to apply for inclusion by detailing the abuse suffered and its lasting impacts from childhood to adulthood. The opt-in procedure follows the rejection of a class action against the CHL by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Antman revealed that his firm frequently hears from former junior hockey players recounting stories of mistreatment, some of which have occurred in recent years. He emphasized the ongoing prevalence of such incidents, even in the current year, describing them as disturbing. OHL spokesperson Josh Sweetland affirmed the league and its teams’ support for the court’s initiative, ensuring compliance with the notification requirements outlined by the court.
In each legal claim, the CHL, regional leagues, and the relevant teams the player was associated with would be named as defendants, bearing responsibility for any potential compensatory payouts. Antman assured that his team is prepared to assist individuals through the process, offering guidance in a supportive and trauma-informed manner.