Former OHL, WHL players can join court-approved claims over alleged abuse

Former major junior hockey players who allege they were abused, hazed, or bullied while playing in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) or Western Hockey League (WHL) can now opt into a court‑approved legal process to seek financial compensation from their former teams, regional leagues, and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Eligible individuals include anyone who played for or attended OHL or WHL teams since 1975 and experienced bullying, hazing, or abuse. Players must contact Koskie Minsky LLP by April 6 2027 to join; those who do will be grouped by former team and have their identities protected. The process, created after Justice Paul Perell rejected a class‑action certification in the Carcillo case, allows each group to file a "joinder action" naming the team, league, and CHL as defendants in Ontario Superior Court. Successful claimants may receive compensation, but non‑participants retain the right to pursue individual lawsuits, subject to limitation periods. The background includes a 2020 independent review panel that documented systemic maltreatment across the CHL, and former QMJHL players are excluded from this opt‑in but may join if they have opted out of a separate QMJHL class action.

(Source：CP24 Toronto)