Lynch, 69, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of sexual assault and assault dating back to August of 1988.
Published Sep 19, 2023 • Last updated 17 hours ago • 3 minute read
Screenshot of former Regina Pats, Humboldt Broncos and Regina Pat Canadians head coach Bernie Lynch in July 2018, when he was the head coach of the junior A Edson (Alta.) Aeros. Lymch stands charged with sexual assault and assault dating back to incidents alleged to have happened in 1988. Regina Leader-Post
On Aug. 7, 1988, a 17-year-old boy barrelled down the highway toward Regina. He was headed to the city because he’d been invited to teach at a hockey camp put on by the city’s WHL team — a team he hoped would put him on its roster.
It was the furthest he’d travelled since he’d got his licence, and he was excited. He was singing along with the radio, and his foot was a little heavy, resulting in a speeding ticket somewhere between Davidson and Craik.
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But he indicated to prosecutor Chris White in Regina’s Court of King’s Bench on Tuesday it was another incident that day which put an end to his excitement about the trip, and further his future with the team.
He cannot be named, in keeping with a publication ban made as the trial of his former coach Bernie Lynch opened.
Lynch, 69, faces two charges. It’s alleged that on Aug. 7, 1988, he sexually assaulted the boy who came to the city to teach at the hockey school. Further, it’s alleged that on the next day he assaulted him physically.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The complainant testified the first “weird” turn to his experience came as Lynch, whom he’d met up with when he reached Regina, suggested they pick up some beer before heading back to his apartment.
He said he wasn’t a drinker and hadn’t expected to drink with the man who was then the assistant coach of the Regina Pats — a man he didn’t know well. Nonetheless, when they got to Lynch’s apartment where it was arranged he’d stay the night, he said he was given a beer.
“He told me that it was time to be a man,” the complainant testified.
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He said as they drank, Lynch told him how his neighbours got upset when he walked naked in front of his balcony window. This, he said, turned into a request from the coach for him to do the same.
The complainant said he again had reservations, thinking it was a weird request.
“He said basically to do what the coach says,” the complainant testified.
“So I did.”
Former Saskatchewan hockey coach Bernie Lynch charged with assault, sexual assault
Former Regina Pats, Humboldt Broncos coach Bernie Lynch under police investigation
He told court the coach asked him to walk naked out onto the balcony and take a drink of his beer, which he said he did. Later on, he said Lynch made some mention about renting a pornographic movie.
While he said they went together to a video store, the complainant testified he doesn’t recall if Lynch rented a film. At any rate, he said he doesn’t remember watching one, as when they returned to the apartment, in an attempt to sober himself, he told Lynch he was going to take a shower.
While in the shower, he said Lynch unexpectedly got in with him.
He testified he tried to get out but the coach told him to stay. Intimidated and afraid, he said he did so.
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The coach tried to compare the activity with the common practice of players showering together, the complainant said.
Lynch then tried to touch his penis, he testified.
“I told him no,” he said, testifying that the coach did so anyways, talking about masturbation and stroking it, before taking the then 17-year-old boy’s hand and placing it on his own penis.
After the incident, the complainant said he slept at Lynch’s apartment before the pair went to what was known as the Agridome for the hockey school the next day. There, he said Lynch punched him in the arm, like a teammate might, but it hurt. Further, he said hit him in the testicles with a ring of keys, and also slapped him on the buttocks with the blade of a hockey stick while they were on the ice.
He left the city earlier than scheduled, knowing he no longer wanted to play for the Pats, he testified.
The trial is scheduled to continue Wednesday with cross-examination of the complainant by the defence.
bharder@postmedia.com
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