OHF Announcement
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ONTARIO HOCKEY FEDERATION DISMISSES
DEBRA MURRAY AND TYRONE SHAW'S APPEAL APPLICATION
The BMHA would like to take this opportunity to update the members of our association regarding allegations put forward by Debra Murray and Tyrone Shaw stemming from events that occurred while the Bantam AE team was participating in a tournament in Pittsburgh in October 2014.
The BMHA has welcomed and respected all investigations conducted by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and the Ontario Hockey Federation.
Despite being provided multiple opportunities by the Bantam AE team and subsequently the BMHA, Debra Murray and Tyrone Shaw adamantly refused to participate in the formal complaint process with the BMHA.
Instead, Debra Murray and Tyrone Shaw launched a relentless media and social media attack on the BMHA, specifically against Terry Hoffman, Director of Rep and Peter Dye, Head Coach of the Bantam AE team, in an attempt to garner support in the court of public opinion.
Despite the hardship caused to all of those involved by this media attack, the BMHA and its volunteers honoured and respected all of the investigations allowing due and fair process to run its course.
The BMHA, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and the Ontario Hockey Federation all independently conducted thorough investigations and arrived at consistent conclusions.
With respect to the allegation of events that occurred in Pittsburgh, the Ontario Hockey Federation stated that "the incident was of a minor nature." The Ontario Hockey Federation further stated that Peter Dye, Bantam AE Head Coach, "was not involved in providing alcohol or condoning the conduct of the players involved."
With respect to the removal of Debra Murray, Tyrone Shaw and Debra Murray's son from the BMHA, the Ontario Hockey Federation "received and accepted extensive and detailed evidence" presented by Terry Hoffman, Director of Rep, and concluded that the decision to remove Debra Murray's son from the BMHA was "justified in view of the surrounding circumstances at the time."
Consequently, the BMHA, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and ultimately the Ontario Hockey Federation have all denied Debra Murray and Tyrone Shaw's claims.
On January 21, 2015, a formal Hearing took place before a tribunal for the Ontario Hockey Federation. Evidence was adduced by all relevant parties. Debra Murray and Tyrone Shaw also engaged the assistance of Mike McFall (former BMHA HL coach), who now coaches Debra Murray's son in a nearby Local League, for reasons unbeknownst to the BMHA. Regardless, following the Hearing, the Ontario Hockey Federation DISMISSED Debra Murray and Tyrone Shaw's appeal application.
The BMHA is very thankful to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and the Ontario Hockey Federation for conducting thorough and fair investigations into this matter.
The BMHA fully supports Terry Hoffman, Director of Rep, and Peter Dye, Bantam AE Head Coach, and thanks all of its volunteers for their time, hard work and commitment.
The BMHA encourages all of its membership to honour and respect the Code of Conduct and Respect in Sport program and continues to welcome all complaints that are presented through the appropriate process.
Murray Shanks
President
Barrie Minor Hockey