No charges will be laid in MJHL hazing

THE CANADIAN PRESS

WINNIPEG — RCMP say no charges will be laid in a hazing incident involving the Neepawa Natives of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

The matter was forwarded to police Oct. 6, about three weeks before it was made public by the league that the team had been fined $5,000 and coaches and players suspended temporarily for hazing.

Since then, the head coach has stepped down and an assistant coach has been suspended indefinitely and the league has ordered another investigation by a retired police officer.

But a statement from the RCMP on Monday says after reviewing the matter with a Crown attorney, it was decided no charges would be laid against players or staff.

“I don’t know if pleased is the right word to use … I’m just, I guess, thankful that that part of it is complete now and it’s over and nothing further is going to come from it,” said MJHL commissioner Kim Davis.

Police said they would release no more information on their findings to ensure the privacy of the complainant and because some of the players are minors.

The league refused to provide details of the hazing but it was later learned that players had been required to walk around the locker room with objects tied to their genitals.

Head coach Bryant Perrier resigned earlier this month and the team posted an apology on its website for the incident.

“The Neepawa Natives organization understands that our players’ actions have reflected poorly on our organization, our community, our league and hockey in general,” it read.

“For this we join the players in offering our sincerest apologies to the victims, our sponsors, our players’ parents, our fans and our community.”

Many players have since been traded or left the team, including the victim of the hazing who brought it to light.

The league initially suspended Perrier for two games, not because he took part, but because it was his responsibility to know what was happening. Assistant coach Brad Biggers was suspended for five games along with the team’s captain, while 15 other players were suspended for between one and three games.

The league has since given Biggers an indefinite suspension, which prevents him from coaching for any Canadian team.

.Retired Winnipeg police detective Ron Bell is conducting the second probe.

Davis said they’re expecting a report soon from Bell but it’s likely still a week or so away.

He has said they ordered their investigation after some of the players provided new information that led to Biggers’ indefinite suspension and it was in no way related to possible criminal charges.