Former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy says he鈥檚 not surprised by news of a new sexual assault charge against ex-coach Graham James.
James, a convicted sex offender, was charged with sexual assault by the Saskatchewan RCMP on Monday, in connection with incidents police say occurred in the early 1990s, when James coached the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League.
In 1997, James plead guilty and served 3 ½ years in prison for sex offences against Kennedy and two others.
鈥淚鈥檓 not surprised. I mean, in my case police figured there was 75 to 100 other victims, so I鈥檓 not surprised,鈥� Kennedy said on Monday. 鈥淚 guess that the way I feel about it is I鈥檓 happy the individual that came forward because now they have an opportunity to get their life back on track.鈥�
Since retiring as a hockey player, Kennedy has gone on to become an advocate against child sexual abuse and started an advocacy centre. He received the Order of Canada for his work as an advocate in 2014.
Kennedy praised the individual for coming forward, but cautioned against what he saw as a public misconception regarding closure.
鈥淥ne of the myths out there is that when someone discloses their story, that it鈥檚 over, it鈥檚 all over. That鈥檚 the farthest thing from the truth,鈥� he said, adding that childhood trauma tends to lead to later mental health issues. 鈥淭he reality is, and the gift is, hopefully now this individual can get on with their life and start working to have the life they鈥檝e probably always wanted to have since they were a kid.鈥�
RCMP officers began their investigation after receiving a complaint from a former Swift Current player.
None of latest allegations against James have been proven in court.
James coached the Swift Current Broncos from 1986 to 1994, winning two WHL titles. He later became the general manager and head coach of the Calgary Hitmen before resigning in the 1996 to 1997 season.
James was convicted in 2012 for repeatedly assaulting former NHL player Theo Fleury and Fleury's cousin Todd Holt in the 1980s and 1990s, when they played for him in the WHL. He is currently serving the final weeks of a five-year prison sentence.
With files from The Canadian Press
