Former Junior Hockey Executive Faces Child Sexual Exploitation Charges Involving Three Underage Players

Noah Chen

11/3/20264 min read

A former junior hockey executive with connections to several teams across Western Canada is facing multiple criminal charges following an RCMP investigation into allegations of sexual exploitation involving three underage hockey players.

Tyler King, 39, was arrested on Friday, October 30, at the Lansdowne border crossing near Kingston, Ontario, after investigators spent more than two years examining allegations involving players associated with the Okotoks Oilers hockey organization in Alberta.

King, a Canadian citizen who had been living and working in New York state, faces three counts of luring a person under 18, one count of sexual exploitation of a young person and one count of making child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

Alberta RCMP announced the charges on Monday, November 2, confirming that the three complainants were Junior A hockey players from Alberta and Saskatchewan who were younger than 18 at the time of the alleged offences.

King previously held business operations and communications positions with hockey organizations in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.

Investigators say the case remains active and that additional people may have been affected.

Investigation Began Following Report From Okotoks Oilers

The investigation began in June 2024 when an employee of the Okotoks Oilers Hockey Association contacted the RCMP about allegations involving a former staff member.

Police were informed that the individual had allegedly been soliciting and compensating players in exchange for intimate photographs and sexually explicit videos.

The Southern Alberta District General Investigation Section assumed responsibility for the investigation in July 2024.

Over the following two years, investigators gathered evidence involving multiple jurisdictions and identified three complainants.

RCMP Cpl. Dan Campbell said the investigation required coordination between police agencies because of the locations involved and the accused's employment history with several hockey organizations.

Police ultimately identified King as the suspect and arrested him at the Canada-U.S. border on October 30.

Following a judicial interim release hearing, King was remanded into custody and arrangements were made for his return to Alberta to face the charges.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and King is presumed innocent unless found guilty.

King Held Senior Business Position With Alberta Hockey Team

King joined the Okotoks Oilers organization in 2021 and spent three seasons overseeing business and other off-ice operations.

He served as assistant general manager of business operations and was involved in the organization's transition from the Alberta Junior Hockey League to the British Columbia Hockey League in January 2024.

King also worked as the team's play-by-play broadcaster during part of his tenure.

On June 21, 2024, the Oilers published a statement announcing his departure and thanking him for his contributions to the organization.

The announcement did not mention any allegations or ongoing investigation.

At a news conference on November 2, Campbell said he could not confirm precisely how the timing of King's departure related to the organization's discovery of the allegations.

However, he stated that the Oilers had contacted police after becoming aware of the concerns and had cooperated with investigators throughout the process.

The organization subsequently issued a statement explaining its position.

Oilers Say Allegations Emerged After Employee's Departure

Brent Lauinger, chairman and governor of the Okotoks Oilers, said the organization had not been aware of the allegations while King was employed there.

According to Lauinger, information received after King's departure raised concerns that warranted additional examination.

The organization reviewed the information and referred it to the RCMP.

Lauinger emphasized that the allegations were unverified when the team first became aware of them.

The Oilers have maintained that they cooperated with the police investigation and acted after receiving information that required further attention.

The organization's explanation addresses questions surrounding King's departure in June 2024, which occurred during the same month the allegations were first reported to police.

Campbell confirmed that investigators had maintained contact with the team and described its cooperation as constructive.

Former Executive Also Worked With Nanaimo Clippers

King's employment history extends beyond Okotoks.

Police say he previously worked with hockey organizations in Fort McMurray and Brooks, Alberta, as well as teams in Ontario and British Columbia.

In June 2024, the Nanaimo Clippers announced that King had joined the organization as vice-president of business operations.

The appointment came around the same time the allegations were being reported to the RCMP in Alberta.

Campbell said investigators believed the Clippers were probably unaware of the police report when King was hired.

In a November 2 statement, the Nanaimo organization confirmed that it had not known about the allegations at the time of his appointment.

The Clippers said King's employment ended after the organization learned he was under investigation.

The club also stated that King's brief period with the organization did not involve contact with its players and that it had received no complaints concerning his conduct during that employment.

The team has offered to cooperate with investigators as the criminal proceedings continue.

University in New York Responds to Arrest

At the time of his arrest, King was employed by the State University of New York at Oswego, commonly known as SUNY Oswego.

He joined the university in 2025 as a professor of practice in the Department of Communication Studies, specializing in sports multimedia journalism.

Following news of his arrest, university president Peter Nwosu informed the campus community that King had been barred from campus without pay, effective immediately.

The university said it was coordinating with law enforcement agencies and emphasized its responsibility to maintain a safe educational environment.

The university has not suggested that the Canadian allegations involve its students or campus activities.

The criminal investigation remains focused on allegations involving junior hockey players in Canada.

RCMP Believe Additional Complainants May Exist

Although investigators have identified three complainants, police say their work is not complete.

Campbell told reporters that King's history of employment with multiple hockey organizations has prompted investigators to consider whether others may have experienced similar conduct.

The RCMP is encouraging anyone who believes they may have been affected to contact their local police service.

Investigators are also continuing to coordinate with police agencies in other jurisdictions.

The case has brought renewed attention to concerns about safeguarding young athletes, particularly where adults occupy positions of authority or influence within sports organizations.

Police have encouraged parents and caregivers to maintain open conversations with young athletes about personal boundaries, online safety and requests for intimate images.

They also emphasized the importance of reporting suspected exploitation so that investigators can assess potential offences and provide appropriate assistance.

For now, King remains in custody as arrangements proceed for his return to Alberta, where he is expected to face the criminal charges.

With the investigation continuing and police appealing for additional information, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of further developments in the case.

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