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Graham James kept a lot of people in the dark. Unfortunately for his
victims, a lot of them prefer to stay there rather than deal with what has become
the worst scandal to ever hit hockey. By now, everyone must know that James, who was so greatly respected by almost everyone, pleaded guilty to sexual assault charges that will keep him in jail until the year 2000. The worst part about what happened, not only in Swift Current but apparently in other dressing rooms across the Western Hockey League, is that people associated with these crimes have chosen not to speak rather than allow the truth to come out about these criminals. Some people that the Carillon have tried to contact have either refused comment, like University of | Alberta coach Rob Daum, or spoke
only on the condition that only the vaguest questions be asked, like Swift
Current Broncos forward Jeff Kirwan. "I really thought he was a good coach," said Kirwan. "He always had a winning team." His won-lost record was never in question. Obviously he had a knack for scouting some of the most talented players in hockey, like Theoren Fleury, Geoff Sanderson, and, unfortunately for him, Sheldon Kennedy. The Boston Bruins left winger who courageously came forward to speak about his assaults has urged those assaulted by James to either press criminal charges or deal with it | in with psychiatric help. No one disagrees. The only way for the complete and total truth to come out is for the people associated with these reprehensible coaches to step from behind their walls of silence and emerge with everything they know. Reports have surfaced recently that the former WHL president Ed Chynoweth may have ignored rumblings in the league regarding Shaw. Whatever the case, it is clear that Graham James was not the first coach to make advances on his players. Whether it is the iceberg or just the tip, the truth must be allowed to get out. Eyes on Sport appears weekly |