Investigation into Allegations Against WHL, Team Canada Coach Now Closed
Just a day after it was revealed that the Western Hockey League and US Center for SafeSport were conducting an investigation into allegations made against one of their coaches, there's word the case has been closed.
Dennis Williams, of Ontario, is the Head Coach and GM of the WHL's Everett Silvertips. He also served as Assistant Coach (2022) and Head Coach (2023) of Canada's World Junior Hockey team. A report from TSN this weekend stated Williams was under investigation by the US Center for SafeSport following allegations by an unnamed complainant. The complainant said several players were concerned with Williams for using the players' showers and coming out only wearing a towel on multiple occasions. It also alleged that Williams "walked into the bathroom while [a] player was losing consciousness following VO2 max testing. Dennis took a photo of the player on his phone while the player was on the bathroom floor and walked out, leaving the player unconscious on the bathroom floor. The player was 17 at the time." Today, the WHL said the investigation has concluded and no evidence of wrongdoing has been found.
Further to this, on the evening of Friday, August 4, USA Hockey's General Counsel informed the WHL that the US Center for SafeSport completed its own independent inquiry into the reported allegations concerning Mr. Williams. Based on the evidence and information currently available, the US Centre for SafeSport has closed the matter after reaching a similar conclusion to the investigations conducted by the WHL."
The league went on to say that the Silvertips, Williams and the WHL cooperated fully with all aspects of the investigation.
Source: CHL.ca/WHL
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