In a somber conclusion to a case that has rocked Quebec’s junior hockey community, former Quebec Major Junior Hockey League player Noah Corson has been sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to sexual assault charges stemming from a 2016 incident.
The 25-year-old former forward, who once skated for the Victoriaville Tigres, received his sentence Tuesday at the Saint-Hyacinthe courthouse. Justice Jocelyn Geoffroy delivered the ruling, which includes two years of probation following Corson’s incarceration period.
Court documents reveal that Corson, alongside two other individuals, participated in the sexual assault of a minor at a residence in Drummondville following a hockey game in February 2016. The victim was 15 years old at the time of the incident, while Corson was 18.
“The impact of such crimes extends far beyond the immediate victim,” said Crown prosecutor Mathieu Lavoie, who had sought a nine-month jail term. “This sentence reflects the seriousness with which our justice system views sexual offenses against minors, particularly in positions where there may be power imbalances.”
The CO24 News team has learned that Corson’s guilty plea came after a lengthy legal process that began when charges were first laid in 2021, five years after the assault took place. The delay in bringing the case forward has raised questions among Canada News analysts about the reporting and investigation processes for sexual assault claims in youth sports.
Corson, the son of former NHL player Shayne Corson, will also be placed on the sex offender registry for 20 years as part of his sentence. The court ordered him to provide a DNA sample and prohibited him from contacting the victim.
The QMJHL has faced increasing scrutiny over its protocols for player conduct and safety. League Commissioner Mario Cecchini issued a statement expressing that “the league remains committed to creating a safe environment for all participants and condemns any form of inappropriate behavior.”
This case emerges amidst growing concerns about misconduct in hockey culture across Canada. CO24 Politics reports indicate that provincial governments are considering enhanced oversight measures for junior sports organizations to better protect young athletes.
Victim advocacy groups have cautiously welcomed the sentence but emphasize that more preventative work is needed. “While accountability through the justice system is important, we need to address the underlying cultural issues that enable such behavior in the first place,” said Marie Lefebvre of the Quebec Association for Victims’ Rights.
Sports psychologist Dr. Antoine Dubois, speaking to CO24 News, noted that “team environments can sometimes foster problematic group dynamics, especially when young athletes are separated from traditional support systems and placed in positions of local celebrity.”
The two other individuals involved in the assault also received sentences, though details remain protected under court order due to their status as minors at the time of the offense.
As Noah Corson begins serving his sentence, the broader question remains: what fundamental changes must occur within hockey culture to ensure that the environments nurturing young athletes also protect the vulnerable from abuse of power and position?
