Fourth youth arrested for sexual assault after alleged hazing involving N.S. hockey team

A fourth young person has been charged for sexual offences in connection with alleged hockey hazing in Nova Scotia.

A fourth youth has been arrested for sexual assault in connection with alleged hazing incidents involving a hockey team in the Truro, N.S., area.

Colchester County District RCMP says the youth was arrested on Thursday without incident.

The youth, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is facing charges of sexual assault and assault with choking.

“The investigation is still ongoing,” Staff Sgt. Marc Rose, district commander of the Colchester County District RCMP, told CTV News Atlantic on Friday.

“We have additional interviews to do related to witnesses, with that we expect to learn new information, and as a result, we may identify additional victims and additional offenders.”

The RCMP says there may be other victims who have yet to come forward, including some who may live outside Colchester County.

“Our priority is the safety and well‑being of anyone affected by these serious offences, and we remain focused on thoroughly advancing this investigation,” said Rose.

“We understand that coming forward can be difficult. If there are others who’ve been harmed, we want them to know they’ll be heard, supported, and treated with respect. They can reach out to us safely and at a pace that feels right for them.”

Anyone with information can contact the Colchester County District RCMP at 902-893-6820. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Three other youths arrested

The update comes a day after police said three youths had been arrested for sexual assault in connection with alleged hazing involving a Truro-area hockey team.

The RCMP said a youth went to the Bible Hill detachment with a parent on Jan. 30 and reported that an assault had taken place during a private team gathering in October 2025.

Police launched an investigation, which they said included statements from multiple witnesses. Investigators allege hazing incidents involving other victims and witnesses also happened at other locations.

“The first incident that was reported happened at a team function outside of a hockey setting,” Rose told CTV News Atlantic on Thursday.

“We’re not going to get into the specific details of the offences. Very serious, Criminal Code offences, very serious crimes against persons.”

Police said they arrested three youths without incident on Tuesday.

One youth is facing the following charges:

• sexual assault
• sexual assault with a weapon
• assault with a weapon

A second youth is facing the following charges:

• sexual assault
• sexual assault with a weapon
• assault with choking

The third youth is facing a single charge of sexual assault with a weapon.

Police said Thursday that more charges could be coming.

All four youths have been released and will appear in court at a later date.

‘Something deeply systemic’

Tim Skuce, an associate professor at Brandon University in Manitoba, studies hockey and hazing.

He says he’s not surprised by the allegations.

“I think there’s something deeply systemic that we can’t keep turning away from, and saying it’s a few bad apples, or it’s a few guys who led astray,” said Skuce. “I think there’s something deeply systemic in the hockey world, so I’m not surprised that these things keep coming through.”

Skuce says hazing is often done under a code of silence and sometimes involve humiliation, degradation and risky behaviours.

“Where does it stop? When do we stop and say these behaviours are unacceptable, how we’re treating each other in the dressing room, how we’re treating our opponents, how we see other men in general?” he said.

Hockey team suspended

Hockey Nova Scotia said Thursday that it learned on Jan. 30 about a “maltreatment allegation” involving a minor and it reported the allegation to the RCMP and Hockey Canada’s Independent Third Party.

“The youth team in the Truro area has been suspended while the matter is under investigation,” said Mike Field, executive director of Hockey Nova Scotia, in a statement.

“As this process is ongoing, and to protect the privacy of those involved, we are unable to provide further details at this time.”

The team has not been named.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jonathan MacInnis

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page