16 Former Michigan Hockey Players Sue Over Alleged Sexual Hazing

Sixteen former University of Michigan men’s hockey players have filed a lawsuit in federal court, claiming they were subjected to sexual hazing rituals by teammates and coaches from 1984 to 2001. The suit names the university and its Board of Regents as defendants.

The complaint, filed on Wednesday in Detroit, lists the plaintiffs only as John Does 1 through 16. Attorney Michael Pitt said the case began when former teammates discussed their experiences in 2024.

“The abuse was planned, cruel, and required to join the team,” Pitt stated. The filing describes initiation rituals where freshmen were stripped, had their genital hair shaved, and in some cases burned with a blowtorch or forced to swallow live fish.

The suit accuses Hall of Fame coach Red Berenson of knowing about the hazing but not stopping it. Berenson reportedly told upperclassmen to shave “from the neck down” so marks wouldn’t show in uniforms. Assistant coach Mel Pearson is also accused of ignoring the abuse.

John Doe 3 said he told Berenson he didn’t want to participate, but the coach pressured him to be a “good teammate.” Berenson declined to comment initially before saying the team knew seniors ran initiation rituals but didn’t promote them.

In 2012, Berenson publicly ended traditional hazing practices like carrying bags and eating last. However, the lawsuit claims the sexual abuse was not addressed in that statement.

University spokesperson Paul Corliss said any misconduct violates policy, noting Michigan was one of the first schools to adopt an anti-hazing policy in 1982. The university could argue the players waited too long to sue, as it did in a previous case involving former sports doctor Robert Anderson.

The hockey players are seeking damages and mandatory anti-hazing training for all athletes. Current players complete yearly hazing and misconduct training. The lawsuit has not yet been proven in court.