Three 17-year-old youths have been arrested in relation to hazing incidents on a Manitoba hockey team.
The arrests were made Tuesday, April 15, while these incidents were reported to police on February 20. Two of the teens were arrested for Sexual Assault with a Weapon, Sexual Assault, and Forcible Confinement. The other was arrested for Sexual Assault and Assault.
There were two separate incidents of hazing involving five victims, who were rookies on the team. The victims are aged 15 and 16.
The first incident occurred in November of 2023, and the second occurred in January of 2024. Both incidents occurred at a Winnipeg hotel while the high school hockey team from the Pembina Valley area was in the city to play in tournaments. All of those involved in the incidents are male and players on the team.
"We have worked closely with the schools, the Prairie Spirit School Division, and coaches to determine what took place and to progress the investigation," says Tara Seel, Media Relations Officer with the Manitoba RCMP. "This type of behaviour - violent and humiliating initiations - is unacceptable, and is going to result in criminal charges for the three male youth involved."
The three suspects were released with a court appearance scheduled in Winnipeg on June 10.