More details were revealed in a new proceeding filed Tuesday as part of the authorized class action against the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Former players, who were minors at the time, denounce various abuses and degrading initiation rituals, including being forced to run around naked with a grape in their anus, having frozen knives applied to their genitals and having to watch videos containing scenes of bestiality.
In April, a judge authorized the class action to move forward against the QMJHL and various junior hockey teams. It was filed on behalf of all former players who allegedly suffered abuse in the organization’s ranks since 1969, when they were under 18.
At this stage of the legal proceedings, the allegations have not yet been proven in court. But a judge has determined that they appear serious enough for her to proceed and go to trial.
Armed with this authorization, the lawyers leading the class action filed a new procedure on Tuesday, detailing the cases of several former players. The authorization judgment allows the use of pseudonyms so that their identities are not revealed publicly. The one who proposes to be the representative of the group of victims, Carl Latulippe, a former player for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, has however agreed that his name be used.
One of the former players who agreed to speak anonymously about his experiences in the proceedings said he played for various teams in the early 1970s.
He revealed that during the initiations, he was restrained by members of the team who forced an ice cube into his anus. Frozen butter knives were placed on his genitals. A hot product — called ” heat “, used to treat wounds — was applied to his genitals and caused an extremely painful burning sensation. He also reported that recruits were forced to watch pornographic videos that even contained scenes of bestiality.
The abuse was not an isolated incident: “During his rookie season, Member A was subjected to regular intimidation and degradation,” the lawsuit states.
Member C, who played in the QMJHL in the mid-1980s, said he was forced to participate, when he was 17, in a “humiliating race” called ” the grape race ” (the grape race): recruits had to run naked with a grape in their anus. For each race, the loser had to eat the winner’s grape. Member D also reported participating in this ritual: when he lost, he vomited while trying to eat the grape, it is written in the procedure.
The former players who spoke out all said that adults in charge of the teams were aware of what was happening, including coaches and medical staff.
By adding these details to the procedure, “we wanted to give other examples, to illustrate what other players have experienced,” explained in an interview the lead lawyer in the case, Mr.e David Stolow.
“It demonstrates the systemic nature of the abuse,” he said.
The league and teams are accused of ignoring or tolerating the abuse, when they had a duty to protect these young players.
Carl Latulippe is seeking some $650,000 in damages and $15,000 in punitive damages. Amounts to be determined at a later date will also be sought on behalf of all former players in the league.
Their number is not known, but the league had around 400 players in any given year. The action, however, only includes those who were under 18.
Me Stolow wants the prosecution to move forward as quickly as possible, but he estimates that a year and a half, or even two years, could pass before the trial begins.