Sex charges prompt review of coach screening
The North Vancouver Minor Hockey Association says it will review its policies in the wake of sexual assault charges against a former coach.
Dusan Benicky is charged with sexual assault and sexual interference in connection with incidents that allegedly occurred between 1991 and 1995, when he was a coach with the North Vancouver association.
Benicky, 56, has told reporters the allegations are fabrications and nonsense.
The identity of his accuser is protected by court order, but police said the player was 10 years old when the alleged assaults began.
'We have a screening process.' — Bart Dueck, North Vancouver Minor Hockey Association
"They took place in various arenas and also at Mr. Benicky's home because the victim was being dropped off, sometimes quite early in the morning," said Cpl. Marlene Morton of North Vancouver RCMP.
Seven charges have been laid against Benicky.
Bart Dueck, the vice-president of the North Vancouver Minor Hockey Association, said the organization works hard to keep children safe.
"We have a screening process where we do criminal record checks," Dueck said. "We also have a harassment and abuse policy in place that provides opportunities for people that have any concerns to bring them forward."
The association also forbids any adult from being alone with a young player in a dressing room, Dueck said.
Still, he said, the association will now review its entire policy.
Website taken down
North Vancouver RCMP are asking any other possible victims to contact them.
Benicky started and still operates the Hockey Performance Centre in North Vancouver, which runs hockey camps. The centre's website was taken off line late Wednesday.
Benicky's online resumé said he worked with the Vancouver Canucks as a conditioning trainer from 1985 to 1996. The Canucks issued a statement Wednesday saying the team had no record of Benicky as an employee.
The resumé also said Benicky worked with University of British Columbia athletes from 1983 to 1996, along with Team Slovakia at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and the Czech National Team at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.