Tootoo denies involvement in alleged 2003 world juniors sexual assault; Upshall supports full investigation | CBC Sports

Jordin Tootoo is the third member of Canada’s 2003 men’s world junior hockey team to deny any involvement in an alleged group sexual assault, while Scottie Upshall says he supports an investigation.

Halifax Regional Police have opened an investigation into the incident that allegedly happened as that city hosted the international tournament 19 years ago. Tootoo, who was a member of the silver-medal winning team, issued a statement on Saturday calling for a full investigation into the “disturbing allegations.”

“I don’t recall knowing or hearing about the incident in question during or after the tournament,” Tootoo wrote on Twitter. “I was shocked when I heard about it in the media and will cooperate fully with any investigation.”

Upshall, another teammate who now hosts a podcast called “Missin Curfew,” did not explicitly deny involvement in a tweet Saturday but said he favours a full investigation.

“I fully support thorough investigations by the police and the NHL into the claims made in the media yesterday about Canada’s 2003 World Juniors team,” Upshall wrote on Twitter.

Hockey Canada said it learned about the alleged sexual assault on Thursday and immediately informed Sport Canada and Halifax police of the allegations.

According to TSN’s reporting, there is an allegation of group sexual assault where more than a half-dozen players from the 2003 world junior team were recorded while engaging in sex with a woman who was “naked and non-responsive.”

CBC Sports has not independently verified or corroborated TSN’s reporting.

In 2015 Tootoo wrote a memoir titled “All The Way,” where he discussed his experiences playing for Canada at the world juniors, including how the team was made up of “horny young men.”

“[It] wasn’t just one-on-one action,” wrote Tootoo in his book. “A few of the guys would get a couple of girls after practice and head into one of the rooms. Enough said.”

Tootoo acknowledged on Saturday that his memoir touched on the team’s sexual exploits, but also said he was struggling with alcohol addiction at the time. It was in that context that he said he couldn’t recall knowing or hearing about the alleged sexual assault.

Hockey Canada has already had funding from the federal government and corporate sponsors paused following allegations of a sexual assault involving eight members of the 2018 men’s junior hockey team.

On Wednesday, London, Ont., police chief Steve Williams ordered a review of that force’s initial sexual assault investigation in June 2018. He said on Friday that, following the review, London police would reopen their probe.

The Canadian Press reported on Monday that Hockey Canada has maintained a fund that draws on minor hockey membership fees to pay for uninsured liabilities, including sexual abuse claims. Hockey Canada confirmed on Tuesday that the fund exists but it would no longer be used to pay out claims over sexual assault allegations.