Second Nova Scotia minor hockey player pleads guilty to sexual assault charges

TRURO · A second Nova Scotia minor hockey player has pleaded guilty to three sexual assault charges. The boy, who was 14 at the time, changed his plea during a Truro youth court hearing on Monday. He admitted to one count of sexual assault with a weapon and two counts of sexual assault against three victims. All three victims were 13-year-old rookies on an under-15 hockey team in Colchester County.

Police described the weapon used against one victim as a mini hockey stick. The Crown prosecutor, Patrick Young, said a separate assault charge against the boy would be withdrawn. Another player charged in the case pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault with a weapon in September. That player had been scheduled to testify against the boy who pleaded guilty this week.

Young said the guilty pleas mean the accused accepts responsibility and shows remorse. "For the Crown, it means the victims in this case don’t have to testify at a trial," Young said. "It means that the outcome is certain in terms of criminal liability established on those charges. And it spares the victims and families from having to endure this process any longer than necessary."

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Court heard the assaults happened during a team sleepover on Oct. 3, 2025, while parents were downstairs. Two 14-year-old boys pinned down one player, pulled down his pants and underwear, and used a mini hockey stick in an assault. Young said the victim told them to stop and they did after he began to cry. The Crown said the episode lasted 15 to 20 seconds, but the complainant said it "felt like forever."

The two accused then attempted to assault two other players but could not fully remove their underwear. Other teammates were present for all the incidents. The first victim later told police he was mentally hurt but did not initially know how to tell his parents. The matter was reported to police at the end of January 2026.

Young said there will be a joint sentencing recommendation, but details are confidential. He could not explain why one accused pleaded to three charges while the other pleaded to one. "My message for people in Nova Scotia is that, unfortunately, sexual violence, sexual assault is a crime that is under-reported," Young said. He added he hopes people understand the justice system can respond to such cases and that supports are available.

Hockey Nova Scotia said it learned of an allegation on Jan. 30 and immediately referred it to the RCMP. The organization suspended a youth team. Four youths were arrested in early February, but charges were laid against only two on Feb. 24. Both accused were released with conditions, including a ban from public dressing rooms unless accompanied by an adult. In late February, the RCMP expressed concern that other victims had not come forward and urged anyone assaulted "under the guise of team initiation or bonding" to come forward. Neither accused can be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Hockey Nova Scotia launched mandatory training on consent and hazing for players in October following the charges.

With files from The Canadian Press, Global News and CBC News