Hockey coach charged with sexual assault appears in Regina court

A former Saskatchewan hockey coach made his first appearance in Regina Provincial Court on Wednesday to answer to charges of assault and sexual assault in connection with an incident alleged to have occurred in 1988.

Bernie Lynch, 66, turned himself in to the RCMP on Saturday in Devon, Alta., after a Canada-wide warrant was issued by the Regina Police Service for his arrest. He subsequently was returned to Regina.

According to a media release, police received a report in April alleging offences by a man against a teenaged boy in Regina in 1988.

“At that time, the alleged offender held a position of authority as a hockey coach, and it was through this position that he was introduced to the victim, who was 17 years old at the time,” the police release said.

“Investigation into these allegations led to evidence sufficient to support charges of both assault and sexual assault against the adult male.”

He was released on conditions after Wednesday’s appearance and is to be back in court June 2.

Lynch was the head coach of the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos in the mid-1980s and of the WHL’s Regina Pats later that decade. His coaching career also includes a stop with the midget AAA Regina Pat Canadians in the late ’90s.

Most recently, Lynch was the head coach of the Fort Frances (Ont.) Lakers, a junior A club in the Superior International Junior Hockey League.

He was suspended Jan. 2 after the Fort Frances Lakers Hockey Association learned of what it called “inappropriate communications from Mr. Lynch to a player.” Lynch was later fired.

Before becoming the Lakers’ head coach, Lynch coached the Edson (Alta.) Aeros. Accusations also were made about Lynch during his time there and his contract with that team was not renewed.