Barrie-area hockey association director faces sex-related charge
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The director of hockey operations with the Barrie-area, minor-league Purple Cobras Hockey Association was charged May 20 with a sexual offence, according to CTV News.
Subsequently, the accused, Ryan Wood, 41, of Barrie, was immediately suspended from any involvement with the Klevr Super League (KSL) following the allegation, pending the sale of the Purple Cobras.
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CTV reports KSL President Jamie Stone issued a letter to families of the Purple Cobras Association a week after Wood’s arrest, stating in part, “The allegations are deeply upsetting and concerning to the KSL, and are entirely inconsistent with the standards that we uphold. We understand how upsetting this news will be to the families that have no fault to bear in the current circumstances.”
Barrie Police would only confirm to CTV that a man had been arrested on May 20 and charged with a sex-related offence after an allegation was made earlier in the month. They reportedly released no further details to prevent any re-victimization.
While Barrie Colts co-owner Jim Payetta told TSN that Wood had been a billet family with the Barrie Colts for each of the last three seasons, Barrie Colts owner Howie Campbell noted in a statement posted on the organization’s website on June 11: “To clarify, at the time of the (alleged) incident, our season had ended and there were no team sanctioned events taking place. It’s disturbing to hear of this news. Myself, the OHL, and all it’s member teams condemn all unacceptable behaviour.”
CTV said Wood sent a letter to families after Stone’s statements saying he’d been working to “finalize the sale of my entire business. To those who have made accusations toward myself or my family – while I understand that financial uncertainty can lead to frustration – please remember that in the two years we’ve been part of the KSL, every supplier, coach, facility, and contractor has been paid, not to mention a loan to the company from my family personally to keep operations going has been done in the past to ensure those bills get paid.”
“As with any business,” Wood continued, “until a service is not delivered, making unjust rumours or chaos is really unnecessary.”
The allegation against Wood has not been tested in court.
He is scheduled to appear in court in Barrie on June 30.
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