Hockey officials are whistling more penalties for discriminatory taunts, insults and intimidation on the ice, according to a Hockey Canada report.
The national governing body of hockey says penalties called under its discrimination rule increased 41 per cent during the 2023-24 season, to 2.6 per 1,000 players from 1.9 in 2022-23.
Sex, sexual orientation and gender-based slurs were the most common type of witnessed penalties resulting in suspensions.
Racial slurs were the second-most common type of reported discrimination.
“Across the country, we are seeing much greater awareness of what constitutes maltreatment on and off the ice, which is encouraging as we seek to remove all forms of it from hockey,” Hockey Canada sport integrity vice-president Natasha Johnston said in a statement Wednesday.
Reports and allegations of discrimination officials didn’t catch on the ice, and required follow-up investigation, decreased 11 per cent to 1.3 per 1,000 last season from 1.5 the previous year.
Hockey Canada has published three maltreatment reports since 2022 and stated it will do so again in 2025.
This year’s report includes for the first time all tracked penalties for general maltreatment — discrimination falls under that umbrella — between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.
Hockey Canada defines maltreatment as “the wilful act or omission that results in or has the potential for physical or physiological harm,” including bullying, harassment and discrimination.
The 14.2 penalties called per 1,000 players will serve as a baseline for future reporting, the report said.
The most common penalties were unsportsmanlike conduct, abusive conduct and spitting.
This data doesn’t include major junior’s Canadian Hockey League or any level of adult recreational hockey.
WATCH | How will hockey change its entrenched culture?:
Hockey Canada is looking into ways to change the culture in the sport following many high profile instances of sexual assault, racism and other abuse. It’s hosting a summit in Calgary, and many experts and advocates say while it’s a good start, there is a long way to go to foster a safe environment.
Of the 18 ice hockey complaints made to the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), 15 were deemed inadmissible and three awaited jurisdictional assessment. OSIC identified an alternative reporting option for 11 of the 15 inadmissible cases.
A tracking and reporting system for complaints of maltreatment, abuse or harassment was a key cog in Hockey Canada’s 2022 action plan to address toxic behaviours.
The organization was under the public microscope and amid a sponsorship revolt at that time after allegations of sexual assault against members of the 2018 junior men’s team, and revelations that a portion of minor hockey fees went to a fund to pay out settlements in such cases.
