The Kitchener Rangers, Ontario Hockey League and local police are investigating allegations that a player on the junior hockey club forced younger teammates to do cocaine at a party.
Former Kitchener forward Eric Guest posted a video to Instagram on Monday night alleging that when he first joined the Rangers as a 16-year-old, an older teammate forced him and another rookie to try out the drug.
He said they were at a party where drinking was involved when the older player allegedly locked the bathroom door.
Guest then said the older teammate told him: “You’re not leaving the bathroom until you do cocaine.”
He said he felt like he could not tell his parents about troubles he was having, including with his billet family, as he was worried it would hurt his chances of making it to the NHL.
“When you’re in that situation, you’re going to do anything you can, you’re gonna bury your feelings, your thoughts and try and make that dream come true,” he said.
Guest said coaches and management were unaware of the situation but also said he felt players could not bring it to them.
In a statement released Tuesday afternoon the Rangers said that they only became aware of the allegations on Monday and that they consider them to be “extremely serious and potentially criminal conduct.”
The Kitchener franchise went on to say it has contacted Waterloo Regional Police Services and will help them and the OHL’s commissioner complete their investigation.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
Guest joined the Rangers for the 2016-17 and alleged that the player who forced him to try the cocaine had been drafted to the NHL.
Guest, who played a portion of three seasons with the club, currently resides in London, Ont.
Guest did not immediately return a request for comment made by the Canadian Press.
*With files from Global News’ Kevin Nielsen