Neepawa team loses more players over hockey hazing
The bad news keeps getting worse but the commissioner of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League still expects the troubled Neepawa Natives franchise to replace players who have left or been traded and improve its performance on the ice.
Kim Davis reacted Thursday to the latest defections from the club. The Natives have reportedly reduced their roster to about 14 for their latest game amidst the fallout from an initial hazing investigation — which led to suspensions and $5,000 fine — and amidst a second investigation by retired Winnipeg police detective Ron Bell.
Team officials could not be reached for comment but Davis said in the past, injuries, illness and other causes have led to teams coping with reduced rosters.
"In the past there have been many teams in our history that have had periods of time, short periods of time, when they've been undermanned, if I could call it that, for various reasons," he said.
"The reasons might be somewhat different in this case but I certainly expect that it will be temporary and that's what the hockey club is expecting as well."
Their roster, which stood at well over 20 before the incident came to light, continues to shrink and a bad season shows no signs of improving for the Natives, last in the 11-team MJHL with only one win this season.
But Davis says the team is doing what it can to turn things around.
"They know that their objective is to win games and have a full roster and I know that they're working toward that. With a shortened roster they're certainly in tough on a nightly basis but I don't expect that to be the long-term situation for them this year."
Meanwhile, he said Bell is continuing his work.
"Our investigator is doing interviews, meeting with team members."
Initially, in addition to the fine, head coach Bryant Perrier was suspended for two games, not because he took part, but because it was his responsibility to know what was happening.
Assistant coach Brad Biggers was suspended for five games along with the team's captain, while 15 other players were suspended for between one and three games.
Davis said the league ordered the new investigation after some players changed their stories and said an assistant coach was present for much of the hazing, which involved players tying objects to their genitals and being forced to walk around the locker-room.
The league has since given Biggers an indefinite suspension, which prevents him from coaching for any Canadian team.