Manitoba RCMP arrest 3 teens suspected of sexual assault in hockey hazing case

A group of three teens has been arrested for alleged sexual assault in connection with hazing on a hockey team, Manitoba RCMP say.

The three are accused of sexual assaults on five victims who were 15 and 16, RCMP said in a news release on Tuesday.

The three teens were arrested Monday, two for sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault and forcible confinement, and one for sexual assault and assault, RCMP said in the news release.

"Violent and humiliating initiations are unacceptable and are going to result in criminal charges," media relations officer Tara Seel said in a post on X, formerly called Twitter.

There were two occurrences of hazing on a high school hockey team from the Pembina Valley area, RCMP allege. Both were reported to police on Feb. 20.

The first happened in November 2023 and the second in January 2024, both times at a Winnipeg hotel while the team was in the city for a tournament, police said.

All of the victims and accused are male hockey players in Prairie Rose School Division. The victims were rookies, RCMP said.

The three 17-year-olds were released from custody and are scheduled to appear in court in Winnipeg on June 10.