Neepawa hockey hazing victim gets new team

The 15-year-old Neepawa Natives player at the centre of a Manitoba hockey hazing incident is going to a new team.

The boy, whose name has not been made public, is headed to Omaha, Nebraska. He was released from the Natives on Monday night.

His mother told CBC News that despite of the tough time he's been through, he can handle the challenge.

"I guess it ultimately comes down to when is the right time. And we're just confident that this is the time, that this is the place for him to continue," she said.

The boy's father said it's time for his son to move on.

"I see this as a great opportunity for my son. He's moving on down south to get the great exposure that he will get down there and hopefully his dream will come true." 

The Omaha team first approached the boy in the summer, prior to the hazing, his parents said. But at that time, he wanted to stay with his hometown team.

Details on his move to Omaha are still being worked out.

Genitals tied to bottles

Since the hazing incident became public in mid-October, the boy has not played with the team.

His parents told CBC News last week that he was forced to parade around the team's dressing room and drag water bottles tied to his genitals.

Seven rookies in all were subjected to similar treatment, the parents claimed, adding that older players rated the younger ones on their ability to endure the pain.

The team has lost a sponsor, traded many players, and had an assistant coach resign in the fallout since the incident during the week of Sept. 26.

As well, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) suspended the head coach and 16 players, including the team captain and three assistant captains.