Former Okotoks hockey coach facing charges over alleged sexual relationship with minor in Winnipeg
Posted Nov 17, 2023 9:51 am.
Last Updated Nov 17, 2023 9:58 am.
A woman who spent time coaching female minor hockey in Okotoks is now facing multiple charges in connection to an alleged sexual relationship with a minor in Winnipeg.
The Winnipeg Police Service’s Sex Crimes Unit reported last week it had received information in October about a “sexually exploitative relationship that occurred between an adult hockey coach and a player between 2019 and 2021.”
On Nov. 9, WPS charged 28-year-old Madison Biluk with several offences.
The suspect was a coach with Hockey Manitoba from 2018-23.
She was also the head coach of the Okotoks U18 AAA Rocky Mountain Raiders during the 2021-22 season.
Winnipeg police say information gathered by investigators indicated Biluk started an inappropriate sexual relationship “by grooming and gaining the trust of the survivor.”
The coach was in her 20s, and the victim was in her teens.
Police say the offences began while the girl was being coached by Biluk, but the coercion and abuse continued after the teen stopped playing hockey.
Read more: Female hockey coach facing sexual assault charges after allegedly exploiting player
Biluk has been charged with: sexual assault; sexual exploitation; sexual interference; invitation to sexual touching; luring a person under 16 years of age by means of telecommunication; two counts of luring a person under 18 years of age by means of telecommunication; transmit, make available, distribute or sell sexually explicit material to a person under 16 years; two counts of transmit, make available, distribute or sell sexually explicit material to a person under 18 years; makes, prints, publishes or possess for the purpose of publication any child pornography; imports, distributes, sells or possesses for the purpose of distribution or sale any child pornography; possession of child pornography; assault with a weapon; and assault.
Winnipeg authorities say she was released from custody with conditions as the investigation into the case continues.
In a statement, the Okotoks Oilers Athletic Association (OOAA), which runs AAA and AA hockey programs as part of Okotoks Minor Hockey, said it learned of the charges against Biluk on Nov. 10.
“The OOAA is not aware of any complaints which are similar in nature to the charges brought against Ms. Biluk by the Winnipeg police in connection with her coaching of the U18AA Raiders Team,” it said.
The OOAA adds it is committed to fostering a safe environment and supports anyone who has experienced mistreatment, sexual violence, harassment, or bullying by someone in its organizations to raise their concerns with the proper authority.
Hockey Canada and its affiliate Hockey Manitoba, said in a statement the two organizations became aware of the allegedly sexually exploitative relationship through a video circulating online.
They encourage anyone who has concerns with their interactions with Biluk during her time in the OOAA to contact the Okotoks RCMP detachment.
Anyone with information on the matter or who wishes to speak to an investigator is asked to call the Sex Crimes Unit at 204-986-6245.
