TORONTO – The University of Ottawa men’s hockey team will not play during the 2015-2016 season in the wake of a months-long investigation that resulted in sex assault charges for two of the Gee Gees hockey players.
READ MORE: 2 U of Ottawa hockey players charged with sex assault of 21-year-old victim
The announcement seems to serve as an extension of last June’s announcement that the program had been suspended for the 2014-2015 season. The head coach was fired on June 25. At the time, the university said it planned to implement new measures to provide better guidance for student athletes.
“Even though we have reviewed some of our practices and procedures, we feel it is essential to wait for the Task Force on Respect and Equality to submit its report, which is expected shortly. We are also looking to hire a new men’s hockey coach,” said University of Ottawa President and Vice-Chancellor Allan Rock in a Friday statement.
“Given these circumstances, we feel that this is the best decision.”
The school hopes to restart the men’s hockey program in time for the 2016-2017 season.
The charges against Guillaume Donovan, 24, and David Foucher, 25, stemmed from an incident in Thunder Bay, Ont. on Feb. 2, 2014 involving a 21-year-old female victim. The Ottawa team was in Thunder Bay to play against Lakehead University in a division game; the incident occurred at the West Arthur Street hotel where Ottawa players were staying, according to Thunder Bay police.
The lawyer for the other members of the University of Ottawa men’s hockey team announced he is seeking approval for a class-action lawsuit against the school on Tuesday, arguing the university tarnished the reputations of every member of the 2013-14 squad in its initial suspension.
READ MORE: U of Ottawa men’s hockey suspension spurs lawsuit against school
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