The former coach of the Fort Frances Lakers now faces criminal charges as part of a historic sexual assault investigation.
The Regina Police Service confirms 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.
The victim was seventeen years old at the time.
Lynch was coach of the WHL’s Regina Pats that year.
Lynch was hired this past season 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.
There are also reports of a police investigation in Edson, Alberta, connected to a hockey team Lynch coached before coming to Fort Frances.
