Boy, 9, benched after parents file lawsuit against South Winnipeg Hockey Association vice-president
A Winnipeg minor hockey player was benched for his team’s season finale after his parents filed a defamation lawsuit against a South Winnipeg Hockey Association (SWHA) board member. The association decided to indefinitely suspend the boy and his parents, Elena Russo Rusak and Corey Rusak, from all league-related activities after they submitted a statement of claim at Manitoba Court of King’s Bench against Hiten Shah, the vice-president of the hockey association.
Russo Rusak expressed her disappointment, stating that the situation is heartbreaking on many levels. She emphasized that every child deserves the opportunity to participate in activities they enjoy without being used as pawns in a legal battle. The lawsuit alleges that the couple’s reputation has been damaged due to an email sent by Shah to 17 families in the team. The email contained defamatory and untrue statements with the intent to disparage Rusak and Russo Rusak.
In response to the email, the association conducted an investigation and found that parent misconduct had occurred. As a result, both parents were stripped of their roles as assistant coach and co-manager of the team. The couple denied the allegations of using inappropriate language or making threats, stating that they were simply trying to address concerns about the coach’s behavior towards the players.
Following the lawsuit, the SWHA made the decision to suspend the couple and their son from all league-related activities. The association cited a Hockey Manitoba by-law that allows for the suspension of members who take legal action before exhausting an internal appeal process. Steve Mason, president of the SWHA, emphasized that the decision to suspend the family was not taken lightly and was necessary to protect the organization’s volunteers.
The couple’s lawyer, Dave Hill, argued that the appeal process does not apply in this case, as it is related to alleged defamatory remarks made by the vice-president of the organization. The lawsuit seeks an apology and damages for the impact on the couple’s reputation and integrity. Despite their desire to transfer to another hockey association, the family expressed doubts about the possibility of doing so in the near future.
The situation has taken a toll on the nine-year-old boy, who has been suspended indefinitely from playing hockey. The family is considering moving to a different catchment area to allow him to continue playing the sport he loves. Russo Rusak expressed her frustration and uncertainty about how to uplift her son’s spirits amidst the ongoing legal battle. The family is hopeful for a resolution that will allow their son to return to the rink and continue pursuing his passion for hockey.
