Lawyers push for six-year sentence for former Manitoba hockey coach who sexually assaulted teen

A sentencing hearing took place for a former hockey coach who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a player. Jon Hendricks reports.

The young Manitoba woman who was sexually assaulted as a child by her hockey coach told a provincial court she is afraid of large spaces, for fear of seeing her abuser again.

Her comments were read to Manitoba’s provincial court on Thursday as Crown attorneys and defence lawyers submitted a joint recommendation of six years for Madison Biluk—the former hockey coach who pleaded guilty to sexual assault and luring.

The Crown said the recommended six-year sentence should include six years for sexual assault and three years—to be served concurrently—for luring.

Court heard the abuse started in 2019 when Biluk—then an assistant coach on a AAA Manitoba girls hockey team—started a relationship which turned sexual in nature with a player who was just 15 years old at the time.

The player’s identity is protected under a publication ban. The victim eventually posted a video to social media outlining their relationship, which led to a police investigation and charges.

During the sentencing hearing, Crown Attorney Larissa Campbell read an impact statement written by the victim, who said the emotional fallout of the assault has been severe.

It has led to low self-worth, persistent distrust in others, and depression and anxiety, which have impacted her relationships with her friends and family.

“I’m afraid of large public spaces for fear of seeing her, or maybe somebody she knows,” the victim wrote. “I feel anxious if I see somebody who resembles her.”

During the sentencing hearing, Biluk apologized for what she put the victim through.

“I’m very sorry for causing her any harm in the first place; that’s not how I like to carry myself as a human being,” Biluk said.

She also apologized to her friends, family and community members who have supported her, as well as the hockey community as a whole.

“I’m just going to keep trying to improve myself every day and make amends however I can,

Biluk said. “I am very sorry for the harm that I’ve caused.”

The Crown said it took several factors into consideration in its recommendation, noting Biluk entered a guilty plea which prevented the victim from having to testify at trial. They added Biluk has shown remorse and has taken steps towards rehabilitation.

Campbell also pointed to a forensic psychologist report, which found Biluk presents as someone with a low risk to reoffend generally against children, though Campbell pointed out the report did note in the specific context of volunteering with mid-teenaged females, Biluk is at a moderate to moderate-high risk to reoffend.

However, the Crown also notes Biluk groomed and abused someone nearly 10 years younger than her while in a position of trust and authority.

Meanwhile, Biluk’s defence lawyer, Saul Simmonds, brought 85 letters of support including from friends and family in her community. Simmons said Biluk shows true remorse and added the current recommendation is “denunciatory and deterrent in effect.”

Judge Jerilee Ryle did not make any decision on the sentence Thursday. A date for sentencing has not yet been set but is expected to take place at the end of March.