World junior players’ group chat about Hockey Canada investigation under scrutiny as ex-teammate testifies

A Closer Look at the Testimony Before the Recess

Before the break in court proceedings, there were some key conversations that shed light on the events surrounding the investigation into Hockey Canada players. On June 26, Hockey Canada sent an email to the players informing them of an ongoing investigation.

During a group chat among the players, there was a sense of relief that the investigation was being conducted internally by Hockey Canada and not involving the police. Cal Foote reassured the group by stating, “It’s private and no police are involved so we are all perfectly fine.”

The following day, discussions in the chat revolved around the contact from Bullock, a Hockey Canada executive, and the questions they may be asked. Carter sought advice on what to tell Bullock, to which Comtois responded that they likely wouldn’t be questioned about the incident.

There were concerns raised about Hockey Canada wanting to conduct in-person interviews, which many of the players were hesitant about. Bean expressed disbelief at the situation, stating, “That’s ridiculous … Like this is nothing and we can’t be making this big of deal out of it.”

Amidst the discussions, the topic of seeking legal counsel was brought up. Howden suggested that contacting Bullock and being transparent about the situation could potentially prevent further escalation. Comtois emphatically stated, “We didn’t rape anyone,” emphasizing their innocence.

As tensions rose, Bean advised the group to cease discussions in the chat and consult their agents for guidance on how to proceed.