The owners of the Muskoka Shield, a former Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL) team based in Gravenhurst, appeared virtually in a Bracebridge courtroom yesterday.
Troy Kahler, 44, and Erika Arbolleda-Renson were in court after being charged with two counts of theft under $5000 on March 14, 2023.
Speaking yesterday in court, Kahler said the pair intend to fight the charges during a trial, which is currently set for Nov. 1 and Nov. 8, 2024. However, Kahler indicated to the court he’s optimistic the charges will be thrown out during his next scheduled court appearance on Sept. 18.
Kahler indicated that if the case proceeds to trial he will call witnesses from other parts of Canada, and possibly Germany and Sweden. He said the witneses were between the ages of 15 and 21 and asked the Justice whether their statements could be provided in written form.
The alleged victim is currently located in Latvia, court heard.
Kahler told the court the process has been extremely frustrating and has had a significant negative impact on the lives of himself and Arbolleda-Renson.
“I’m self-representing because I know I did nothing wrong. We just want to get this over with,” he told the court.
The Shield’s first season was in 2016/2017 in Gravenhurst as part of the GMHL. The GMHL is an independent developmental junior league and is not a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League or sanctioned by Hockey Canada.
Kahler purchased the team in 2021.
In an unrelated incident, on Dec. 2022, Kahler was charged with assault by Nipissing West OPP following an incident between the Shield and the West Nipissing Lynx on Dec. 16, 2022. The charge was dismissed in August 2023 after Kahler completed anger management sessions.
In May 2023, the GMHL instituted a mandatory leave of absence for the Shield for the 2023/24 season.
In June 2024, Kahler appeared before Gravenhurst Town Council to request ice time for the Shield be reinstated at the Graeme Murray Arena in Gravenhurst.
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