Three teenage boys were arrested on sexual assault charges Monday in connection with a “hazing incident” on a hockey team.
Two incidents of hazing involving five male victims who were rookies on the team happened in November and this January, Manitoba RCMP said Tuesday. The victims were 15 and 16 years old.
The incidents were reported to police on Feb. 20.
The three boys arrested are 17 years old. Two were arrested for sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault and forcible confinement. The other was arrested for sexual assault and assault.
All of the teens involved were players on the team.
Both incidents occurred at a Winnipeg hotel while the high school team from the Pembina Valley area was in Winnipeg to play in tournaments, RCMP said in a news release.
“We have worked closely with the schools, the Prairie Spirit School Division and coaches to determine what took place and to progress the investigation,” Manitoba RCMP spokesman Tara Seel said in the release.
“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.
Winnipeg police said in mid-March that the investigation was initiated by RCMP and that WPS officers had helped with some local issues.
The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association said in a statement last month that it was aware of the allegations involving a high school hockey team made up of students from three rural high schools.
“The association’s primary concern is the safety and well-being of all student athletes involved in school sport,” the March statement read. “The allegations are deeply troubling, and we take them very seriously. Given that this is now a legal matter, the (association) will refrain from further comments at this time.”
The statement said the association was committed to providing support to the Prairie Spirit School Division, Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine and the Prairie Rose School Division.
The school divisions released a joint statement in March saying they were aware of the hazing allegations and had conducted an internal investigation.
“This matter is currently being investigated by authorities. For the sake of privacy for the students and families involved, the school divisions will not be commenting on any students’ potential involvement,” the statement said.
— With files from The Canadian Press
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca