A former Mississauga hockey coach was arrested and charged last week in relation to sex-related offences against two young male players that allegedly took place in the 1980s.
Peel police said investigators are concerned there may be other hockey player victims. The 67-year-old man was a volunteer house-league coach with the Applewood Minor Hockey Association and the Mississauga Minor Hockey League for about 12 years during the 1970s and 1980s while he lived in Mississauga, police said.
He mainly coached the Bantam age group, which would have included 14– and 15-year-olds, as well as younger players at the Dixie and Cawthra Park arenas, police said.
The "lengthy" investigation began when two victims came forward, said spokesman Constable George Tudos. He said he couldn't reveal why police believe there may be other victims from the hockey community but said it's possible there could be victims outside the sport as well.
"Were there victims from outside hockey? We're not sure," Constable Tudos said. "If there's anyone that was victimized by this male, we're encouraging them to come forward."
Paul Rodgers was arrested by Peel police from the Special Victims Unit on Friday in Collingwood, where he now lives, and he appeared at the Brampton Ontario Court of Justice on Saturday.
He was charged with two counts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency.