These days, hearings are underway connected to an investigation into how the Canadian Hockey Association handled a suspected rape in which players from the JVM team in 2018 are said to have participated.

On Wednesday, the association's chairman and CEO, Scott Smith, had to respond to resignation demands directed at him by former NHL player and abuse survivor Sheldon Kennedy, among others.

Kennedy demanded that Smith, as well as the management team and the board of the union, resign.

He also received approval for that on Wednesday.

- A greater culture change is needed within the hockey association than you promise.

Sometimes good people have to step aside because the public has lost faith in them.

Unfortunately, this is such an opportunity, Liberal politician Anthony Housefather said on Wednesday, according to TSN.

Scott Smith was asked bluntly, but did not agree to resign.

Although he understands that Canadians' confidence in the federation has been shaken.

- I am prepared to take on the responsibility for change in our sport.

I believe I have the experience to do it.

If our board or the investigation suggests that I am not the right person, then I am prepared to accept that, Smith said.

Paid damages to plaintiff

The suspected rape allegedly took place in 2018, where a woman was allegedly victimized by eight hockey players, some of whom were part of the Canadian JVM team.

A few weeks after the incident was reported, the hockey association paid damages of approximately SEK 28 million to the plaintiff woman.

This was discovered in May this year.

Since there was an agreement, the matter has not been tried in court.

Although the union has reached an agreement with the woman, they have resumed their investigation.

The local police in Canada have also reopened the investigation into the case, an investigation they closed in February 2019 without it leading to charges.

In August, the covid–19 postponed JVM 2022 will be held in Edmonton, Canada.

Despite the ongoing storm, the Canadian Hockey Association, along with the International Ice Hockey Federation, are ready to host.

- Even though it was a similar age group in 2018, there are other players in this group.

We look forward to arranging, says Scott Smith.