The scandal-plagued Canadian ice hockey association, Hockey Canada, has appointed Katherine Henderson as its president for the first time.
After seven years at the head of the national curling association, she will take up her post at Hockey Canada on September 4, the association announced on Tuesday (local time). “The future of hockey is limitless,” said Henderson.
Equal pay between women and men
Henderson, recognized internationally for her commitment to equality and inclusion in sport, had successfully reformed Curling Canada by equalizing pay between women’s and men’s teams, introducing more Canadians to the sport and improving the organization’s finances.
“Katherine Henderson has the experience to lead Hockey Canada’s ongoing transformation,” said Hugh Fraser, Hockey Canada CEO.
Sex scandal rocked association
The Canadian Ice Hockey Federation is on the count after a 2018 sex scandal broke in May 2022, in which eight players from the U20 national team are said to have sexually abused a woman.
Other cases of abuse in the past as well as dubious settlement payments and cover-ups came to light, even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau subsequently called for “comprehensive changes” at the association.