On Thursday evening, the London Press reported that the owner of the London Nationals will serve a two-year suspension following an investigation into alleged harassment, abuse, bullying and misconduct. The Ontario Hockey Federation confirmed that team owner Paul Duarte is suspended from all Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities for two seasons effective immediately. The Nationals are part of the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
The Federation was asked to investigate it received allegations of violations of the federation’s harassment, abuse, bullying and misconduct policy and its code of conduct last November.
“The OHF retained a third-party investigator to probe the allegations,” the federation said in a brief news release Thursday.
“The Ontario Hockey Federation continues to enhance its focus on Safe Sport and the eradication of maltreatment in the game of hockey, while balancing the ability for individuals to grow and rehabilitate from maltreatment violations.”
No specific details were given on the alleged misconduct, but they were confirmed by Phillip McKee, the organization’s executive director. From the London Press:
“The federation launched an investigation against the London Nationals for what multiple sources told The London Free Press was a bounty allegedly offered for a London player to target a skater on the Komoka Kings in the fall of 2021. The two teams play in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
The sources, who spoke to The Free Press on condition of anonymity due to fears of reprisal, said they were told the amount of the bounty was $100.”
A two-year suspension sends a strong message to anyone out there that would think of pulling such a move again!
Duarte’s suspension ends June 1, 2025.
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