Manitoba hockey league reopens hazing probe

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is reopening its probe into a hazing incident involving the Neepawa Natives after several players recanted earlier evidence.

The league has also indefinitely suspended Natives assistant coach Brad Biggers, who was previously suspended for five games in connection with the hazing thattook place the week of Sept. 26.

The hazing incident involved tying water bottles to the genitals of rookie players.

Biggers told CBC News on Thursday that he had resigned his position with the club and complained he was being made a scapegoat. On Friday, Biggers he said he was unaware the matter had been reopened and he was shocked by the news.

MJHL commissioner Kim Davis said the indefinite suspension preventsBiggers from joining another club in the league.

"As a result of several Neepawa Natives players recanting their earlier testimony, the Neepawa Natives hockey club presented new information to the MJHL on Thursday," Davis said in a news release.

"With the new information, the MJHL will immediately reopen the investigation into the hazing complaint. The league will also be appointing a special, independent investigator to further investigate the matter."

New suspensions possible

Davis said new sanctions and suspensions involving the Neepawa Natives are possible.

Earlier this week, the league issued a $5,000 fine against the club and coaches, and 16 players were suspended.

"There is no excuse for this type of inappropriate behaviour," Davis said. "Ultimately the hockey club is responsible for the conduct of its staff and players."

Neepawa Natives president Dave McIntosh said a 15-year-old player who first reported the hazing will be traded to another junior team.

The boy has not played for seven games. His father said he welcomes a trade and that the boy has received a great deal of support, including a phone call fromSheldon Kennedy, the former NHL player whose experiences being sexually abused while a junior hockey player were chronicled in his book Why I Didn't Say Anything.

The fathersaid the fact the MJHL has reopened its investigation is a vindication of his son's position in the matter.

"That's quite admirable of them," he said. "And quite admirable of the other players that recanted their earlier testimony. Unbelievable."