Brock University: Brock webinar to explore hockey culture, solutions and strategies

With Canadian hockey scandals dominating recent headlines, Brock University’s Centre for Sport Capacity (CSC) is hosting a discussion on fostering a healthier hockey culture nationwide.

Hockey Canada is reeling following July parliamentary hearings investigating public allocations of misused funds to pay off sexual assault settlements. Meanwhile, Canadian NHL players have come forward with statements and have issued calls to action in the wake of multiple scandals.

In response to these developments, the CSC’s webinar will focus on strategies and solutions to improve hockey culture from the grassroots level through to professional hockey. The online discussion will take place Monday, Sept. 19 at noon.

Sport Management Assistant Professor Taylor McKee has assembled a panel of former and current players and industry experts to offer insights into an issue that has shaken Canada’s relationship with its most cherished sport.

“These issues have challenged many individuals and organizations to reconsider their contributions to hockey as a whole, leading to funding cuts and sponsorship withdrawals,” McKee says. “Individuals and corporations are now being faced with an ethical dilemma never before experienced in Canada’s hockey history.”

Guest speakers include Sheldon Kennedy, a decorated ex-NHLer who played for the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames; Pete Soberlak, a retired hockey player and Athletic Performance Advisor at Thompson Rivers University; Hilary Findlay, a retired Brock Sport Management Associate Professor; and Erin Ambrose of Team Canada women’s hockey.

“This webinar provides a platform to established experts in this area to focus on important and timely conversations on the current culture of Canadian hockey,” McKee says.