BURST
A hockey coach with the Coquitlam Express has been arrested and charged with sex crimes .
The New Westminster Police Department’s major crime unit arrested Ronald Veit, a 58-year-old resident of Surrey.
He was charged with sexual interference between September 2008 and May 2010; sexual exploitation between May 2010 and May 2012; and sexual assault between September 2008 and May 2012. Some of those charges are specific to offences where the victim was a young person. Police did not say if all the charges were related to one alleged victim or if there were several victims.
The alleged offences occurred in Langley, Surrey, New West, Coquitlam and Burnaby. A young person, as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada, is a youth 16 or 17 years old.
Veit joined the Express as goaltending coach and director of goaltender development just before the 2020-21 season.
“We encourage anyone with information that can assist in our ongoing investigation to come forward,” stated Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “We understand the challenges victims face in reporting such incidents and want to reassure the public that we take these matters very seriously, and resources and support are available.”
Veit has been released with numerous court-ordered conditions, including no possession of weapons of any kind, and not to volunteer, contact or communicate with persons under age 18 unless in the presence of their parent or guardian, or in the course of commercial interaction in a public place or skating rink.
Additionally, Veit must not be at parks, community centres, schools or playgrounds with the exception of skating rinks where he may continue to coach hockey in the presence of other adults.
Veit also runs his own goaltending school, which had its website pulled offline Friday afternoon . His bio on the website listed him as the head instructor.
“Ron Veit has been involved with goaltending for over 25 years and has trained goaltenders at every level of hockey. While working with the WHL, Ron has coached and has helped to develop talents like Carey Price and Chet Pickard, both being first-round draft picks.
“While coaching with the Junior A team Burnaby Express (BCHL), Ron won the championship of Canada. Through the years Ron has trained many NHL goaltenders including talents such as Olaf Kolzig, Felix Potvin, Dan Cloutier, Damian Rhodes and Peter Scoudra to name a few.”
The Coquitlam Express posted a statement to social media after news of the charges dropped Friday afternoon.
“The Coquitlam Express has been made aware that goalie coach Ron Veit has been charged by the New Westminster Police Department. Upon learning of these charges, the organization immediately terminated Mr. Veit’s employment. He is no longer affiliated with the Coquitlam Express in any capacity.
“While these charges are not related to his time with our organization, the safety and well-being of our players, families and community remains our highest priority. These charges are new and were not detectable through a criminal record check, which all staff members are required to submit.”
Anyone with further information is asked to contact the New Westminster police at 604-529-2430.