5 Key Takeaways:



1. Safety Starts with Screening: Thorough background checks are essential in hockey and other organized sports to identify past misconduct or criminal activity and protect athletes—especially youth—from potential harm.
   
2. Depth and Breadth of Checks Matter: A robust screening program goes beyond a basic criminal record check to include Vulnerable Sector Screening, Enhanced Criminal Record Checks (when appropriate), identity verification, and reference/credential verification.
   
3. Universal Application Across Roles: Everyone who interacts with players—coaches, trainers, officials, volunteers, contractors, and even board members—should undergo the same rigorous screening process.
   
4. Ongoing, Not One‑and‑Done: Screening should occur before engagement, be refreshed every 6–12 months, repeated after long breaks, and triggered immediately if any new concerns arise, ensuring continuous vigilance.
   
5. Leverage Specialized Providers and Digital Tools: Partnering with third‑party experts and using platforms like eScreener guarantees fast turnarounds, full legal compliance, streamlined administration, and fosters a culture of safety and trust throughout the organization.

Why Background Screening Matters in Hockey

The stakes are high when working with young athletes. Coaches, trainers, and volunteers often hold positions of trust and authority, making it critical to screen for past misconduct, criminal activity, and red flags that could endanger the safety of players.

Unfortunately, headlines about abuse in sports—both in Canada and globally—continue to emerge. The Canadian government has responded with new policies, such as the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), designed to support safer sport environments. But preventing harm starts at the organizational level.

That’s where comprehensive background screening steps in. Whether you’re a minor hockey program, a provincial sports organization, or a private training camp, implementing proper screening measures can help minimize risk, demonstrate due diligence, and build community trust.

What Should Be Included in a Hockey Background Check?

In hockey, a backcheck is all about defending—skating hard to shut down an opponent’s attack. It’s one of the most important plays in the game. In the world of hiring and volunteer screening, the goal is the same: protect your team by getting ahead of potential risks.

But while a quick back check might catch obvious red flags, responsible screening needs to go deeper. When it comes to protecting players—especially youth—cutting corners just won’t cut it. Just like on the ice, a solid backcheck is only one part of your overall defensive strategy.

Here’s what a thorough Canadian background check for sports organizations should include:

Canadian Criminal Record Check

This is the foundation of any screening process. A criminal record check helps identify convictions for serious offences such as assault, fraud, or sexual misconduct. For youth sports, this information is non-negotiable. Hire Performance’s Canadian criminal record check uses CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) and PIP (Police Information Portal) databases to quickly and accurately flag any concerns.

Vulnerable Sector Screening Online

When working with children, vulnerable individuals, or persons with disabilities, you need more than a standard criminal check. Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS), also known as Vulnerable Sector Checks (VSC) includes a search for pardoned sex offences and other serious red flags that may not show up in a basic criminal check. With the option to complete vulnerable sector screening online, organizations can simplify the process while meeting legal and ethical obligations.

If a candidate has not been convicted of a sexual offence and has not received a pardon or record suspension, an Enhanced Criminal Record Check is typically sufficient. This type of check is appropriate for individuals with no history of sexual offences or pardoned convictions.

Identity Verification

It’s essential to confirm that your applicants are who they say they are. Digital ID verification tools and e-consent forms allow you to match personal data with official government records quickly and securely—especially useful for large-scale volunteer events or seasonal hiring.

Reference and Credential Checks

When hiring coaches or trainers, it’s smart to validate their claimed certifications and experience. A proper back check process can verify professional qualifications, education history, and employment background. This helps protect against misrepresentation and ensures only qualified individuals are working with your athletes.

Who Should Be Screened?

In short, anyone who will have direct or indirect contact with athletes, especially youth. This includes:

• Coaches and assistant coaches
• Trainers and medical staff
• Officials and referees
• Team managers
• Volunteers
• Board members or executives
• Contractors (e.g., equipment suppliers or security)
  
  

Screening policies should apply equally to all levels of involvement. A casual volunteer at a tournament can still pose a risk if left unchecked.

When and How Often Should Background Screening Happen?

One of the most common mistakes organizations make is treating background screening as a one-time formality. In reality, safety is an ongoing responsibility.

Here’s a general guideline for timing:

• Pre-engagement: All staff and volunteers should complete a full screening before they begin working with a team.
  
• 6-12 months: Regular re-checks are recommended to account for new offences or changes in criminal status.
  
• After a break in service: Anyone returning after being away from the organization should be re-screened.
  
• If concerns arise: Allegations or complaints should trigger an immediate review.
  
  

Automated systems like the eScreener make it easy to schedule, manage, and track re-screening timelines. This ensures no one falls through the cracks.

The Challenges of DIY Screening

Some hockey organizations, especially smaller leagues and associations, rely on volunteers or internal admin staff to manage screening. While well-intentioned, this approach can lead to:

• Delays in onboarding
• Missed red flags
• Inconsistent processes
• Privacy risks from handling sensitive data improperly
  
  

Third-party providers like Hire Performance specialize in compliant, fast, and secure screening services. Our team understands the legal frameworks across Canadian provinces, making it easier for your organization to stay onside with laws like PIPEDA and provincial human rights codes.

Why Choose Hire Performance?

We know sports. Hire Performance works with organizations across the Canadian hockey landscape, like local minor hockey associations and national governing bodies, to create safe, transparent environments.

Here’s what makes us different:

• Fast turnaround times: Most checks are completed in under 1 hour.
• Full Canadian compliance: We follow federal and provincial privacy laws to the letter.
• Flexible pricing for sport organizations: Scalable plans for associations, clubs, and tournament organizers.
• Enhanced Criminal Record Checks: Streamlined digital process to save time.
• All-in-one dashboard: Our eScreener platform makes managing multiple checks a breeze.

We also offer free demos and trial access to help you see how simple and efficient background screening can be.

Beyond Risk Management—It’s About Culture

When you prioritize background screening, you’re sending a message: safety matters here.

For many young Canadians, hockey is where lifelong values are learned—teamwork, discipline, perseverance. By setting high standards for who gets to work behind the bench, you help ensure those lessons are taught in the right way, by the right people.

You also demonstrate respect for the families who entrust your organization with their children. In today’s climate, trust isn’t just earned on the ice—it starts behind the scenes with responsible screening protocols.

Make Screening Part of Your Game Plan

Background screening isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a key part of your organization’s safety culture. With the rise of digital tools like eScreener and growing awareness around misconduct in sports, now is the time to revisit your policies and procedures.

Whether you’re overseeing a competitive rep team or organizing house league tournaments, there’s one goal we should all be skating toward: a safe and respectful experience for every participant.

Need help building your screening program? We’re here for you.

Try eScreener for free today!  Get started now by filling out our contact form.