 Hockey Calgary president Perry Cavanagh speaks at a press conference at District 7 police station regarding a coach facing charges of sex assault on a player. (Sun Media/Jim Wells)
|
CALGARY -- Allegations a hockey coach sexually abused a 15-year-old female player over three days has the city's minor hockey leaders considering mandatory background checks.
But for now, such scrutiny remains voluntary among the city's hockey associations and Hockey Calgary's president voiced doubts about enforcing such measures.
The city's amateur hockey community was reeling from news a coach who'd left the game after a few years of coaching, only to return this fall, had been charged with sexually abusing a player.
Michael Shawn Bourgeois, 35, is charged with five offences, including sexual assault, inciting sexual contact with a youth by a person of authority and invitation to sexual touching with a child under 16.
He stepped down voluntarily once the three-week investigation began into the incidents that allegedly occurred Nov. 9-11 away from the arena, said Det. Jeff Klinger.
"When the person is under 16 years of age, it is not consensual," said Klinger, adding the parents went to police with a complaint.
"It's up to the adults to remove themselves from that situation."
He said the victim has "been great and co-operative throughout the investigation."
He wouldn't say where the incidents occurred.
Hockey Calgary president Perry Cavanagh said families shouldn't be worried for the welfare of their children in the city's minor hockey system, particularly with the advent of the program Respect in Sport which promotes abuse awareness for parents.
"There's always room for improvement in the protocols, but it does present an environment that is safe for players to play in," he said, adding the experience of ex-NHLer Sheldon Kennedy, who was sexually abused by his junior hockey coach, has contributed to Respect in Sport.
"It's a new program that deserves an opportunity to move forward," said Cavanagh.
He said the organization recommends member teams examine the backgrounds of their coaches but "the associations have the prerogative ... The threat of a background check is often enough to keep predators away."
But he said Hockey Calgary's board would examine making such scrutiny mandatory, beginning next year.
It's unclear if Bourgeois' background had been checked, said Cavanagh, but police say he's not known to them.
Police say they don't believe there are any other victims, though they're asking the public to come forward if they have any additional information.
A Hockey Canada spokesman said the organization is reviewing its coach screening procedures, mainly in the event they face civil litigation, which hasn't been launched.
BILL.KAUFMANN@SUNMEDIA.CA
