Report: Dennis Williams, Canada’s 2023 world junior coach, under investigation by U.S. Center for SafeSport

According to TSN’s Rick Westhead, Everett Silvertips coach and GM Dennis Williams is currently being investigated by the U.S. Center for SafeSport against allegations from a complaint filed in May.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an American nonprofit organization that works to investigate abuse among athletes.

Westhead said WHL commissioner Ron Robison confirmed the investigation to TSN, but said the Silvertips are not aware of the specifics of the allegations.

“The WHL and the Everett Silvertips are not aware of the nature of the complaint as [the U.S. Center for SafeSport] has full jurisdiction and the matter is confidential,” Robison wrote. “The WHL and the Everett Silvertips are cooperating fully with [the U.S. Center for SafeSport] and USA Hockey on this matter.”

According to Westhead, TSN obtained a copy of the May 10 complaint that alleged that serveral players had “shared concerns about Williams using player showers and coming out wearing only a towel while they were in the adjoining team dressing room.”

The report also said that Williams “walked into the bathroom while [a] player was losing consciousness following VO2 max testing. Dennis took a photo of the player on his phone while the player was on the bathroom floor and walked out, leaving the player unconscious on the bathroom floor. The player was 17 at the time.”

Westhead also reported that former Silvertips equipment manager Damon Pugerude made a complaint to the league’s player advisory council in January to investigate allegations involving bullying and harassment. According to Robinson, the league “found there is no evidence to support any of the allegations” made by Pugerude.

WIlliams, 43, has been coach of the Silvertips since 2017-18. He has also worked with Hockey Canada on numerous occasions, including serving as coach of the team that won gold at the 2023 World Junior Championship. Prior to coaching, Williams had a four-year career with Bowling Green before playing some minor pro hockey in the old Central League with Odessa.