KITCHENER -- A former Kitchener Ranger who sounded the alarm over alleged forced drug use at a rookie party has decided not to proceed with a criminal investigation, police say.
Eric Guest took to Instagram last month in a 15-minute video, saying he was speaking out because he doesn't plan to pursue a career in the National Hockey League.
Guest alleges that, during his first season with the Rangers, an older teammate took him and another teammate into a bathroom at a team party and made them do cocaine.
"He locks the door, and he says ‘you guys aren’t leaving this bathroom until you do this,’” Guest recalled in the video.
"He said, 'you're not leaving the bathroom until you do cocaine.'"
Guest didn't say who he was talking about.
The Waterloo Regional Police Service said that, after the video went public, the Kitchener Rangers were in touch with them and that they were investigating.
But on Wednesday morning, police confirmed to CTV News that the investigation had wrapped up.
"Investigators spoke with Guest and he did not wish to proceed with any criminal investigation," a police spokesperson said in an email.
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL), which is the parent organization of the Ontario Hockey League, also launched its own investigation into Guest's allegations.
The Kitchener Rangers say they are aware that the WRPS has ended its investigation, but won't be making comment until the CHL has finished its own. The OHL says the league has not yet completed its investigation.
Days after Guest came forward with his story on Instagram, a class action lawsuit led by former Sarnia Sting player Daniel Carcillo was announced.
"The real goal here is to ensure this type of thing doesn't happen to kids going forward," Carcillo's lawyer James Sayce said. "Part of the issue is that these stories come out every couple of years. The question is whether enough is being done to protect children who are sent away from home to play hockey with NHL dreams.
Back in 2018, Carcillo detailed several graphic instances of hazing and abuse during his time playing with the Sting as a rookie.
Sayce couldn't say if Guest has reached out to him to be part of the class action lawsuit. However, he did say he's spoken to a number of people -- all of different ages. He said any junior hockey player who wants to share their story should contact him.
None of the allegations made by Guest or Carcillo have been proven in court.
With reporting from Leighanne Evans