Case Files: Hockey Canada Scandal

The Defendants: Case Files is the next iteration of The Defendants. Our first six episodes explored how the justice system is set up, and why it doesn't work for cases involving sexual violence. We are working on our next six, which will further explore how we can change this system for the better. In the interim, we want to keep the conversation going, and we're doing that with Defendants: Case Files. Once a month, myself and human rights expert Anuja Jaiswal are going to look into a specific case that caught our attention and ignited conversation. We're going to discuss what happened, why it played out that way, and what we think that can tell us about not just the justice system, but about us, and how our reactions contribute to the problem. Court Documents The verdict Motion for second mistrial Motion on past recorded evidence Motion on hearsay evidence The Criminal Code on Sexual Assault and Consent Background The NHL’s Response: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sources-nhl-suspends-players-acquitted-in-2018-sexual-assault-trial-until-dec-1/ Background on the Event: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/topics/hockey-canada/ https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39436540/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-case-scandal-news-updates. This article includes the quote: By mid-month, Renney and Smith were brought before members of Parliament during a Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage meeting to discuss Hockey Canada's response to the incident in question. Both testified that 19 players were "encouraged" but not required to speak with the governing body's third-party investigators. They also added that the identities of those eight players in the court filing remained unknown to them. St-Onge announced from there a freeze on Hockey Canada's federal funding until the findings of a third-party investigation were completed. Several high-profile sponsors -- including Scotiabank, Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons and Esso -- began distancing themselves from Hockey Canada. At the same time, multiple players from the 2018 world junior team began releasing statements denying they were involved in the alleged assault. It was written by Elliotte Friedman for ESPN. Coverage of the Trial and Hockey Canada: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6429400/2025/07/24/hockey-canada-trial-players-not-guilty/ https://www.tsn.ca/other-sports/article/hockey-canada-resists-joining-abuse-registry-as-other-sports-publish-bans/ We Breed Lions Book by Rick Westhead: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/2025/09/hockey-canada-sexual-assault/ CBC Live Play By Play - Goes back day by day through the Trial: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/livestory/recap-after-8-weeks-hockey-canada-sex-assault-trial-ends-and-fates-of-accused-ex-players-rest-with-judge-9.6796534 https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6421810/2025/06/12/crown-attacks-defenses-tactics-legal-arguments-in-hockey-canada-trial/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6372500/2025/05/21/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-3/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6370479/2025/05/20/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-testimony-3/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6339844/2025/05/07/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-em-cross-examination-2/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6352897/2025/05/13/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-em-cross-examination-4/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6384889/2025/05/27/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-4/ https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada/rick-westhead-judge-discharges-jury-at-london-hockey-trial-1.2306954 Additional quoted article sources can be found on our Substack here. 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Email: defendantspodoutreach@protonmail.com Instagram: @thedefendantspodcast | @jane_aster_roe Media Appearances: daltonhiggins@gmail.com Resources for Survivors SA Survivor Resource Document - This document contains Canadian, U.S, and global sources to find guidance, information, and aid for survivors of sexual assault. Detailed descriptions of each resource within the document. Our Team Jane Aster Roe - Executive Producer, Host Rachel Arundel - Executive Producer, Creative Director Katie Jensen - Executive Producer, Editor, Sound Designer Dawson Fleming - Production Assistant Thank you for listening. Be kind to yourself and to one another.