Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

University Of Ottawa Hockey Team Prepares For Return After Two-year Suspension

IANS, 08 Sep, 2016 12:08 PM
    The University of Ottawa says its varsity hockey team is preparing to hit the ice again this fall, two years after the program was suspended in connection with a sexual assault investigation.
     
    Spokeswoman Isabelle Mailloux Pulkinghorn says the team began its training camp last Monday and will be finalizing its roster after open tryouts this weekend.
     
    The university laid out its plans for the program's relaunch last summer, when it announced the hiring of Patrick Grandmaitre as the new head coach. Grandmaitre previously headed the hockey program at Collège Nouvelles-Frontières in nearby Gatineau, Que. 
     
    Last month, the university said former NHL draft pick Ryan Lauzon would come on board as assistant coach, replacing the outgoing assistant, Jean-Francois Lavergne.
     
    It said Lauzon, 35, was a fourth-round draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes in 1999 and spent four seasons in minor-pro hockey.
     
    Mailloux Pulkinhorn says Grandmaitre has recruited 21 players so far, five of whom are coming from the Ontario Hockey League or the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. 
     
    "We are feeling very positive about the progress and the team," she said in an email, adding the first exhibition game is scheduled for Sept. 14, with the regular season starting on Oct. 7.
     
    The university suspended it's men's varsity program in 2014 after police in Thunder Bay, Ont., charged two players with sexual assault in connection with an incident involving a 21-year-old woman during a road trip in February of that year.
     
    The team was initially suspended for the remainder of the 2013-14 season, but the program was later put on hold through 2015-16.
     
    Following the initial suspension of the team, the school launched an internal investigation and said it would implement new behaviour guidelines.
     
    The results of the university's internal investigation into the team were not made public two years ago but did prompt the university to fire the team's head coach, Real Paiement.
     
    The university said the coach was not involved in the misconduct but should have notified authorities about the allegations.
     
    A class-action lawsuit over the team's suspension was launched against the university and its president on behalf of 22 players who allege their reputations have been tarnished.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Despite Conviction Of Assailant, Woman Regrets Reporting Sexual Assault

    Despite Conviction Of Assailant, Woman Regrets Reporting Sexual Assault
    HALIFAX — The man she accused of raping her was convicted of sexual assault — but a Nova Scotia woman says she regrets going to the authorities.

    Despite Conviction Of Assailant, Woman Regrets Reporting Sexual Assault

    Fentanyl Crisis Coming To Ontario, Police And Community Groups Warn

    Fentanyl Crisis Coming To Ontario, Police And Community Groups Warn
    Ontario police and community groups are raising the alarm that a fentanyl crisis could be looming as synthetic versions of the drug appear across the province.

    Fentanyl Crisis Coming To Ontario, Police And Community Groups Warn

    Bangladeshi Canadian Community Disavows Alleged Militant Killed Over Weekend

    Bangladeshi Canadian Community Disavows Alleged Militant Killed Over Weekend
    OTTAWA — Members of Canada's Bangladeshi community disavowed an Ontario resident killed over the weekend who Bangladesh police say masterminded a terrorist attack last month.

    Bangladeshi Canadian Community Disavows Alleged Militant Killed Over Weekend

    Arrival Of Second Influx Of Syrians Will Be Smoother: Immigration Groups

    Arrival Of Second Influx Of Syrians Will Be Smoother: Immigration Groups
    Most immigrant support groups say this fall's expected surge in Syrian refugee families will be far more manageable than the impromptu turmoil that characterized the first wave of arrivals, which began nearly 10 months ago.

    Arrival Of Second Influx Of Syrians Will Be Smoother: Immigration Groups

    CMHC-Insured Mortgage Arrears In Alberta Increase By More Than 50%

    CMHC-Insured Mortgage Arrears In Alberta Increase By More Than 50%
    Saskatchewan's list of troubled mortgages is also up, to 529 from 392, in the same period.

    CMHC-Insured Mortgage Arrears In Alberta Increase By More Than 50%

    Postal Workers Delay Possible Job Action For 24 Hours As Contract Talks Continue

    Postal Workers Delay Possible Job Action For 24 Hours As Contract Talks Continue
     One of the country's biggest e-commerce companies is urging businesses to call for a legislated end to the labour dispute at Canada Post.

    Postal Workers Delay Possible Job Action For 24 Hours As Contract Talks Continue