Canadian hockey team FINED $5000 after scout paid compliment to female reporter

The Vancouver Giants have been fined $5,000 by the Western Hockey League after the team’s head scout said that a female reporter was “good looking” while on the air for a broadcast for the WHL Prospects Draft earlier this week.

WHL commissioner Dan Near announced the fine on Saturday, saying that the remarks were “not reflective of the organization’s standards of respect and inclusion,” regardless of the intent of the comments.

The comment was made by head scout for the team, Terry Bonner, during a broadcast after the club took Eli Vickers as the third overall pick on May 6. Bonner was being interviewed by a female reporter as well as another staffer when he made the comment in question.

"Congratulations on a huge pick in Eli Vickers, third overall. You must have been confident you could get him at three. What made him a fit for the Giants' organization?" the female reporter asked. 

Bonner responded, “Well, thank you very much, you’re a very good-looking girl.” He then gave his thoughts on the Giants’ selection.

The WHL called his remarks “inappropriate” before issuing the fine of $5,000.

"Accountability is a cornerstone value of our League – that includes both players and staff. In this instance, regardless of intent, the remarks are not reflective of the organization's standards of respect and inclusion," Near stated.

According to The Williams Lake Tribune, Bonner has been in the Giants’ front office since 2001. He was made head scout of the team in the 2021 to 2022 campaign. He is also the longest-serving scout in the franchise's history.