Social media post part of class action suit brought on by former Canadian junior players

There is a posting on the social media accounts of Ontario Hockey League teams about a class action lawsuit.

The post, which appears on the accounts of all 20 teams, asks anyone who may have played in either the OHL or WHL since 1975 that was negatively affected by hazing or abuse to take part in an opt-in process to seek compensation.

The league’s director of communications Josh Sweatland says the social media post is required under a court-approved notice plan describing this process on their websites, in keeping with the timelines and requirements set by the Court.

A proposed class action was brought on behalf of players but was not certified by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 2025.

With the support of the Canadian Hockey League and its leagues and teams, the Superior Court approved a Section 7 Plan establishing an opt-in process that allows eligible players to pursue certain individual lawsuits.

Sweatland says all teams made similar posts on social media about this proposed class-action lawsuit during training camp.