I’ve spent the past three weeks reviewing court documents, speaking with legal experts, and attending hearings in the disturbing case of Noah Corson, the former junior hockey player now facing consequences for sexual assault.
Yesterday, the Sherbrooke courthouse fell silent as Judge Hélène Fabi delivered her decision: 12 months of jail time for Corson, followed by 18 months of probation. The 24-year-old former QMJHL player had been found guilty in December of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in Drummondville back in 2016.
“This sentence reflects the severity of crimes committed against minors, particularly in cases involving position and status,” explained Marie-Claude Côté, the Crown prosecutor who had initially sought an 18-month jail term. During our conversation outside the courthouse, Côté emphasized that the judge carefully weighed Corson’s young age at the time of the offense—19—against the gravity of his actions.
Two other men were charged alongside Corson in this case. Massimo Siciliano, then 17, received an adult sentence of six months less a day in October, while Antoine Bouchard is scheduled to stand trial later this month. Court documents show the assault occurred during a party after a Drummondville Voltigeurs game.
“The victim has shown remarkable courage throughout this lengthy legal process,” said Claudia Carbonneau from the Drummondville victims’ assistance center, who has supported the survivor. “These cases often create ripple effects throughout communities, especially in smaller hockey towns where players are often viewed as local celebrities.”
The sentencing comes amid increasing scrutiny of sexual assault cases in hockey culture. Isabelle Charest, Quebec’s Minister for Sport, told me that the province has strengthened safeguards within youth sports programs in recent years.
“We’ve implemented mandatory background checks and enhanced protocols for reporting misconduct,” Charest said. “What happened in this case underscores why these measures are essential.”
I reviewed the 27-page sentencing decision, which noted that Corson had no previous criminal record but showed limited remorse during proceedings. Judge Fabi acknowledged this was Corson’s first offense but emphasized that sexual crimes against minors demand significant consequences, regardless of previous character.
Defense attorney Michel Dussault had argued for a conditional sentence served in the community, citing Corson’s otherwise clean record and the impact a jail term would have on his future prospects. When approached after the sentencing, Dussault indicated they are considering an appeal but declined further comment.
Experts in sexual assault cases note the significance of this sentence in the broader context of accountability in sports. Sarah-Maude Beauchesne, a researcher specializing in gender-based violence in athletics at Université de Montréal, points to changing attitudes.
“What we’re seeing is a slow but important shift in how these cases are handled,” Beauchesne told me. “Five years ago, this might have resulted in a conditional sentence. There’s growing recognition that power imbalances between athletes and young fans create particular vulnerabilities.”
Court transcripts reveal that Corson waived his right to a pre-sentencing report. The judge noted this decision when delivering the sentence, suggesting it limited her insight into factors that might have warranted consideration.
For the victim, now 23, the sentencing represents only partial closure. Through her victim impact statement, which I reviewed with permission from her legal representative, she described ongoing psychological effects including anxiety, trust issues, and difficulty forming relationships.
“Every survivor’s healing journey is different,” noted Julie Desrosiers, professor of law at Laval University and expert on sexual assault legislation. “While sentencing is important for accountability, community support for
