Report: former Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson to testify on handling of sexual assault allegations

Edmonton Oilers chairman and former Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson is among those expected to testify on Parliament Hill next month in front of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

TSN’s Rick Westhead and The Athletic‘s Katie Strang both shared news on Wednesday afternoon detailing the Canadian Heritage Committee’s planned subpoenas for a session on Oct. 4 covering Hockey Canada’s handling of a series of alleged sexual assaults.

Current Hockey Canada board chair Andrea Skinner will also appear before the Canadian Heritage Committee, as will former chair Michael Brind’Amour.

Skinner has served as chair since Aug. 9 of this year. She replaced Brind’Amour, who was elected to the position on Nov. 17, 2018.

Rick Westhead

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The Canadian Heritage Committee said it will subpoena Hockey Canada board chair Andrea Skinner and former board chair Michael Brind’Amour to testify on Oct. 4 about Hockey Canada's response to sexual abuse allegations.

6:31 PM · Sep 21, 2022

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Rick Westhead

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In addition, the Heritage Committee said Bob Nicholson, Hockey Canada's president and CEO from 1988-2014, will be subpoenaed to appear at the committee's next meeting following the Oct. 4 testimony. AIG Insurance, Hockey Canada's insurer, will also be invited to testify.

6:37 PM · Sep 21, 2022

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Canada and the sporting world at large have been rocked this summer by the news of multiple sexual assault allegations involving members of Hockey Canada teams in recent decades.

The national governing body has pledged to no longer use its “national equity fund,” supported in part by player registration fees, to settle sexual abuse claims.

Brind’Amour resigned from his position amidst the growing scandal surrounding Hockey Canada, which resulted in many of the organization’s sponsors suspending their financial partnerships.

Nicholson, 69, served as Hockey Canada president and CEO from 1998 to 2014. Shortly after his departure, Nicholson joined the Oilers as a vice-chair and was promoted to chairman in 2019.