Hockey Manitoba joins call for change

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This article was published 05/10/2022 (812 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Hockey Manitoba has broken its silence on the ongoing saga involving Hockey Canada, supporting a growing demand for new faces atop the embattled organization.

The provincial governing body tweeted a statement Thursday.

“Hockey Manitoba Board of Directors support the call by members of Parliament for a change in Hockey Canada’s leadership at the senior staff level and board of directors,” the statement read.

“Further, Hockey Manitoba calls for a review of the Hockey Canada Action Plan to include consultation from experts or organizations working in education, awareness and prevention of sexual violence, abuse, bullying and discrimination.”

Hockey Manitoba ended its statement Thursday saying it would not offer further statements on the situation until an update is provided at the national level.

Hockey Manitoba joined the growing list of provincial bodies to call for change. Hockey Québec spearheaded the movement on Wednesday by announcing it had decided to stop sending a portion of its registration fees to Hockey Canada, saying it doesn’t believe Hockey Canada’s current structure can change hockey culture.

The Ontario Hockey Federation promptly followed its easterly neighbours by halting the transfer of its participation fee to Hockey Canada for the 2022-23 season, as well.

The statement by Hockey Manitoba was significant, as it has been relatively tight-lipped throughout the debacle.

The organization last made public comments on Aug. 8, after it became one of 13 provincial bodies to support a letter to Hockey Canada that threatened to stop sending its member dues unless there were steps taken to improve the sport’s culture.

Hockey Manitoba executive director Peter Woods expressed doubts the threat would actually be exercised, backing Hockey Canada and its Action Plan along the way. He also emphasized his belief in the national body’s brass, noting he was comfortable with their direction at the time.