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Former Fort Frances Lakers coach and long time fixture in Canadian junior hockey, Bernie Lynch, has been arrested on sexual assault and assault charges. Lynch turned himself into police in Devon, Alberta.
The charges follow a complaint from one of his former charges, a hockey player who was 17 when the alleged incident occurred. Lynch faces one count of assault and one of sexual assault stemming from claims dating back to 1988.
Lynch was also the subject of scrutiny by the Fort Frances Lakers of the Superior International Junior Hockey League. He was fired by the Lakers following an investigation by the team and Hockey Canada following reports of inappropriate electronic communications with a player.
Fort Frances, ON, Canada / 93.1 The Border
May 5, 2021 5:22 PM
The former coach of the Fort Frances Lakers now faces criminal charges as part of a historic sexual assault investigation.
The Regina Police Service confirm 66 year-old Bernie Lynch made his first appearance before Provincial Court in Regina Wednesday on charges of assault and sexual assault in connection with an investigation into a sexual assault alleged to have occurred in 1988.
In April 2021, the Regina Police Service received a report alleging offences committed by an adult on a young man in Regina, in 1988.
Police say at that time, the alleged offender held a position of authority as a hockey coach, and it was through this position that he was introduced to the victim, who was 17 years old at the time.
He is due back in court on June 2, allowing him time to consult with a lawyer.
The prosecution did not oppose Lynch’s release, but it came with a lengthy list of conditions: keep the peace and report to court as required; report to a bail verification officer and follow their instructions; live in a residence approved by the bail officer (likely to be in Alberta); not have contact with the named complainant; not attend the complainant’s home, workplace or place of education; not refer to the complainant directly or indirectly while using social media; have no contact with anyone under 18 years unless in the company of an adult who is fully informed of the allegations against Lynch; not obtain or continue employment or volunteer work in which he would be in a position of trust or authority over anyone under 18; not use a computer system to communicate with anyone under 18; not coach in any sport where the athletes are under the age of 18; and not participate in any conditioning o
Bernie Lynch (Fort Frances Lakers photo)
REGINA, Sask. Former Fort Frances Lakers coach Bernie Lynch has been charged in connection with a historic sexual assault.
Regina police on Wednesday issued a release stating Lynch, 66, appeared in court earlier in the day to face charges of assault and sexual assault related to an incident that allegedly took place in 1988.
Lynch was hired last year to coach the Lakers, but was suspended by the team and later fired after allegations of inappropriate texts sent to a player on the team. Hockey Canada opened an investigation at the time.
Regina police said they acted on a complaint alleging the accused committed the assaults on a male youth in Regina, 33 years ago. At the time Lynch was a hockey coach, and was introduced to the alleged victim, a 17-year-old male youth.