OTTAWA — The University of Ottawa and 22 former members of the school's men's hockey team have settled a class action lawsuit.
Members of the 2013-2014 Gee-Gees squad sued the university in 2015 after the hockey program was suspended following allegations of sexual assault against two players.
Thunder Bay Police had charged the men with assaulting a 21-year-old Thunder Bay woman in February 2014 while the Gee-Gees were in the city for a weekend series with the Lakehead University Thunderwolves.
In June 2018, a Thunder Bay judge acquitted the pair after a 10-day trial, saying that although there was a high level of intoxication the night of the assault, she had no reason to question their testimony that the woman had consented.
Details of the settlement between the university and the ex-hockey players have not been disclosed.
Their statement of claim sought $4 million in general damages and $2 million in punitive, exemplary and aggravated damages.
The university issued a statement saying it agreed to the setttlement because it believes it is in the best interest of both parties, "particularly concerning the costs involved for both sides."
It said the settlement is not an admission of liability on its part.
