REGINA, Sask. -- Former Fort Frances Lakers coach Bernie Lynch has been charged in connection with a historic sexual assault.
Regina police on Wednesday issued a release stating Lynch, 66, appeared in court earlier in the day to face charges of assault and sexual assault related to an incident that allegedly took place in 1988.
Lynch was hired last year to coach the Lakers, but was suspended by the team and later fired after allegations of inappropriate texts sent to a player on the team. Hockey Canada opened an investigation at the time.
Regina police said they acted on a complaint alleging the accused committed the assaults on a male youth in Regina, 33 years ago. At the time Lynch was a hockey coach, and was introduced to the alleged victim, a 17-year-old male youth.
Police said the investigation into the allegations show sufficient evidence to warrant the charges of assault and sexual assault.
According to the release, police issued a Canada-wide warrant for Lynch when they could not initially locate him to lay the charges. The accused turned himself in to RCMP in Devon, Alta this past Saturday.
He was remanded into custody and returned to Regina to face the charges.
Lynch, who is also under police investigation in Alberta, made his first court appearance on these charges before Provincial Court at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.
The former coach has plied his trade in Canada, the United States and Europe for the past four decades.
None of the accusations have been proven in court.
