New panel appointed to review major junior policies

The Canadian Hockey League announced on Thursday the formation of an Independent Review Panel with the goal of reviewing its current policies in regards to hazing, abuse, harassment and bullying and the allegation that players do not feel comfortable reporting behaviours that contravene these policies.

The chair of the panel will be former New Brunswick Premier Camille Theriault and will also include former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy and former Olympian Daniele Sauvageau.

The goal will be to have a report completed by the beginning of the 2020-21 season.

“The CHL is committed to the 1,400 young men who play in our league and the protection of our players has been and will always be our primary concern,” CHL President Dan MacKenzie said in a prepared statement. “This is why we have assembled this Independent Review Panel to review the effectiveness of our current policies, player experience programs and procedures for reporting off-ice misconduct, to help ensure that we are providing the safest environment free of hazing, abuse, harassment and bullying.”