Former Michigan Hockey Players File Abuse Lawsuit

Sixteen former hockey players from the University of Michigan have filed a sex discrimination lawsuit. The case was filed in federal court in Detroit. They allege they were victims of sexual abuse and hazing from 1984 to 2001.

The lawsuit describes harsh initiation practices. Freshmen reportedly faced forced genital shaving, excessive drinking, and eating live fish. One player claimed upperclassmen threatened him with a blowtorch while he lay on a table.

The former players’ lawyer, Michael Pitt, spoke about the situation. “The abuse was ritualized, meticulously planned, and sadistic,” he stated. According to him, enduring such abuse was a condition for joining the Michigan Men’s Ice Hockey team.

The lawsuit accuses former head coach Red Berenson of knowing about these acts. Berenson served as the head coach from 1984 until 2017. The players claim he didn’t take steps to stop the misconduct.

One claimant, identified as John Doe 3, reportedly confronted Berenson. He expressed his refusal to participate in the hazing. According to the lawsuit, Berenson persuaded him by appealing to the identity of a “Michigan Man” and being a “good teammate.”

Berenson, now 86, denies any involvement in such practices. He acknowledged that senior players led some initiation activities. However, he insisted that no one voiced complaints to him. He said, “Were there some mishaps? Were there some bad experiences? Possibly, but it wasn’t a matter of direction or encouragement from the coaching staff or from the administration.”

In addressing the lawsuit’s claims, Berenson stated, “When they say sexual, I’m guessing they’re stretching this.” He had announced the cessation of “freshman hazing” in 2012. At that time, he mainly referred to freshman duties like carrying equipment and eating last. He admitted some captains went too far in their actions.

The lawsuit calls for a deeper investigation into the team’s hazing practices. Paul Corliss, a Michigan spokesperson, labeled the allegations as “disturbing.” Yet, he denied that the university bore responsibility for the reported misconduct.

Corliss emphasized Michigan’s existing anti-hazing stance. “The university first adopted an official anti-hazing policy in 1982. It was one of the first universities in the country to do so, and it has earned its standing as a leader in this area,” he said.

The claims emerged following talks among former players in 2024. The university might argue the former players took too long to file the lawsuit. The abuse allegedly happened decades ago.

A previous legal case involved former university sports doctor Robert Anderson. He was accused of sexual misconduct by past athletes. Michigan reached a $490 million settlement with more than 1,000 claimants.

These accusations in the hockey lawsuit haven’t yet been validated in court.