Nova Scotia minor hockey player pleads guilty to sexual assault with a weapon
A 14-year-old minor hockey player in Nova Scotia has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old teammate with a mini hockey stick during an October 2025 sleepover. A second youth charged in the case has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial in February.
One of two minor hockey players accused of sexually assaulting a teammate changed his plea to guilty on Tuesday afternoon at a youth court in Truro, N.S., located about 80 kilometres from Halifax.
The accused was 14 years old at the time of the incident and had originally pleaded not guilty in May to charges of assault, sexual assault, and sexual assault with a weapon. Police described the weapon used in the sexual assault as a mini hockey stick.
The assault occurred during a sleepover on Oct. 3, 2025, involving most of an under-15 hockey team in Colchester County. The complainant, who was 13 years old at the time, was a rookie on the team. During the incident, which lasted 15 to 20 seconds, the accused allegedly pinned the victim down, removed his pants and underwear, and used the mini hockey stick.
The two teammates then allegedly attempted to do the same to two other players, succeeding in removing their pants but failing to remove their underwear.
A second boy, also 14 at the time, faces the same charges along with an additional assault charge. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial before Judge Brian Warcop in February. Crown prosecutor Patrick Young stated that the first boy's guilty plea compels him to testify in the second boy’s upcoming trial.
Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, penalties for the guilty plea could range from an absolute discharge to a three-year period of incarceration. Sentencing recommendations will be joint, though details remain privileged.
Hockey Nova Scotia referred the matter to the RCMP immediately after learning of the allegation in January. Four youths were arrested in early February, but only two were charged. Both are currently subject to court orders prohibiting contact with the victims.