Former Stratford Cullitons player Mitch Vandergunst has been sentenced to one year in prison for a 2013 sexual assault.
We say former, because he has since his conviction last week been removed from the team completely.
Though eligible for a “conditional” sentence that would have kept him out of prison, and placed on house arrest, The prosecution requested an 18 month maximum prison sentence.
In his decision, sentencing Judge George Brophy said that a conditional sentence would be “insufficient”, and “in my view his behaviour has to be denounced in the strongest terms.”
“Mr. Vandergunst needs to know and the public at large needs to know … that this kind of behavior cannot go unsanctioned.”
The sexual assault took place in July of 2013 after Vandergunst, the victim and her boyfriend spent a night drinking in a bar. Evidence read in court showed Vandergunst groped the victim on a cab ride to Exeter, then after arriving at the home of the victim’s boyfriend he entered her room and had unwanted sexual relations with her.
Originally only suspended by the team, the board of directors decided Thursday evening to drop him from the organization effective immediately.
With the nature of the criminal conviction it is unlikely that Vandergunst will be able to participate in any NCAA hockey programs as it is more likely the conviction will not allow him on any campus.
TJHN will update this story as it continues to develop.
