A Winnipeg hockey coach has been charged with sexual assault and exploitation after allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a player.
Winnipeg police said officers with the Sexual Crimes Unit received information about the alleged incident last month and said there was a sexually exploitative relationship between an adult hockey coach and a player from 2019 to 2021. The coach was in his 20s and the players were in their 20s. Police said she was a teenager.
Investigators say the coach groomed the survivors to gain their trust and that the violations began while the players were being coached. Police allege the coercion and abuse continued even after the player quit hockey.
“Grooming in sports requires slowly gaining trust before systematically breaking down interpersonal barriers,” said Officer Dani McKinnon of the Winnipeg Police Service. “Athletes can fall into the compliance trap because they trust, like, and even love their abuser.
“Grooming is not just for athletes. Family members are often involved in grooming as well. Gaining the trust of the family makes it easier to meet with the child.”
Police were informed of the incident by a third party before the victim came forward.
“This is a very brave move,” McKinnon said. “She took several steps herself to reach out to the public and some of her family members, and ultimately spoke to the police and her report was formally advanced to the investigation stage.”
Madison Birk, 28, was arrested on November 9, 2023. She is charged with 15 crimes, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual interference, multiple counts of seduction and child pornography charges. She is also charged with assault and assault with a weapon.
None of the charges against her have been proven in court. She was released conditionally.
Police said Birk was a hockey coach in Manitoba from 2018 to 2023, but McKinnon is no longer coaching hockey.
Hockey Manitoba executive director Peter Woods said in a statement that he learned of the incident through a video circulating online and notified police and Hockey Canada’s independent third party.
“We take these types of allegations extremely seriously and the individual in question will not be eligible to participate in any Hockey Canada-sanctioned program as a coach, guest coach or volunteer while the ITP grievance process is ongoing.” Woods said in a statement, the organization added. We declined to comment as the investigation is ongoing.
McKinnon said they believe the only victims are survivors at this time, but the investigation is still ongoing.
“Of course, when you look at very large organizations, there are always possibilities,” she said. “But I don’t have anyone else to talk to at the moment.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 204-986-6245.
If you need assistance, there are resources available such as WPS Victim Services (204-986-6350) and the Clinic’s Sexual Assault Crisis Line (204-786-8631).
