A year into job as Hockey Canada chief, Henderson says hockey healthier

Sep 20, 2024 | 11:42 AM

CALGARY — Hockey Canada president and chief executive officer Katherine Henderson says the organization and hockey are headed in healthier directions since she stepped to the helm just over a year ago.

Henderson inherited an organization in crisis.

Five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey championship team were charged in January with sexual assault that allegedly occurred at a Hockey Canada gala in London, Ont., in June of that year.

The allegations have not been proven in court and a jury trial is set for next year.

Henderson and Hockey Canada’s new board have been navigating the fallout from that scandal. She’s also been tasked with tackling racism, discrimination, homophobia and hazing in hockey.

A summit examining toxic masculinity in elite men’s hockey was held in Calgary during her first week on the job. Another summit tackling misogyny, sexism, homophobia and transphobia is scheduled for Nov. 14-15 in Ottawa.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2024.

The Canadian Press