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Jordin Tootoo is the third member of Canada’s 2003 men’s world junior hockey team to deny any involvement in an alleged gang sexual assault, while Scottie Upshall says he supports an investigation.
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Halifax Regional Police have opened an investigation into the incident that allegedly happened when that city hosted the international tournament 19 years ago. Tootoo, who was a member of the silver medal-winning team, issued a statement on Saturday calling for a full investigation into the “disturbing allegations”.
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“I do not recall knowing or hearing about the incident in question during or after the tournament,” Tootoo wrote on Twitter. “I was shocked when I heard about it in the media and I will cooperate fully with any investigation.”
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Carlo Colaiacovo and PA Parenteau, who were also part of the 2003 junior national team, issued statements Friday saying they were not involved in the alleged sexual assault and would also participate in any investigation.
Upshall, another teammate who now hosts a podcast called “Missin toque de queda,” did not explicitly deny involvement in a tweet Saturday, but said he supports a full investigation.
“I fully support the thorough investigations by the police and the NHL into the claims made in the media yesterday about Canada’s 2003 world junior team,” Upshall said.
I fully support thorough investigations by the police and the NHL into the claims made in the media yesterday about Canada’s 2003 World Junior Team.
— Scottie Upshall (@ScottieUpshall) July 23, 2022
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Tootoo acknowledged Saturday that his memoir touched on the team’s sexual exploits, but also said he was struggling with alcohol addiction at the time. It was in this context that he said he did not remember knowing or hearing about the alleged sexual assault.
Hockey Canada has already halted funding from the federal government and corporate sponsors following allegations of sexual assault involving eight members of the 2018 men’s junior hockey team.
These allegations came to light after the media reported that Hockey Canada paid an undisclosed settlement to the whistleblower after she sued the organization, the Canadian Hockey League and the eight unnamed players. The woman was seeking $3.55 million.
In London, Ontario, on Wednesday, Police Chief Steve Williams ordered a review of the force’s initial sexual assault investigation in June 2018. He said Friday that following the review, London police would reopen the your research
The Canadian Press reported Monday that Hockey Canada has maintained a fund that relies on minor hockey membership fees to pay uninsured liabilities, including sexual abuse claims. Hockey Canada confirmed Tuesday that the fund exists, but that it would no longer be used to pay claims for sexual assault allegations.