Former junior hockey coach pleads not guilty in Regina sex offence trial

Warning: this story contains distressing details of an alleged sexual assault.

The trial of a former junior hockey coach accused of sexual offences against a 17-year-old in 1988 began at the Court of King's Bench in Regina on Tuesday.

Bernard "Bernie" Lynch is facing charges of assault and sexual assault. Lynch entered pleas of not guilty to both counts Tuesday morning.

Lynch, 68, coached hockey in North America and Europe for more than 40 years, including Saskatchewan. He was the subject of a CBC News investigation in 2021, in which parents and players alleged abusive behaviour.

On Tuesday the complainant testified about his life as a junior hockey prospect in the late '80s and how the culture of "what happens on the road, stays on the road" prevented him from coming forward for roughly 30 years. 

Any information that could identify the complainant is protected by a publication ban.

The complainant testified that he was from a small city in Saskatchewan when, in the summer of 1988, he was invited by Lynch to be involved in a hockey school operated by the Regina Pats. 

Lynch was an assistant coach with the organization at the time and personally invited the complainant to take part in the camp. 

The complainant testified that the invitation was a dream come true. He said he believed it was a "good sign" that he could make the Pats team and have a future career in professional hockey.

The complainant said he understood he was going to stay with Lynch on the first night of the camp before moving to a hotel for the second night. 

The complainant testified that he was immediately wary of Lynch's behaviour after arriving at the assistant coach's apartment in Regina.

He recalled being offered beer and, despite declining multiple times, ultimately felt pressured into drinking by Lynch.

The complainant was also offered the choice of sleeping on the couch or in the bed with Lynch, as Lynch suggested that players would often share beds while on a road trip.

The two were drinking at Lynch's table when the junior hockey coach mentioned how his neighbours would complain about him walking through the apartment while he was naked or in his underwear, the complainant said.