Bernie Lynch was found guilty in December 2023 and sentenced in January 2024 for assaulting and sexual assault of a teen boy in 1988. Lynch was a coach for the Regina Pats in the WHL at that time. (Image Credit: (file photo/CJME News Staff))

By Geoff Smith, CJME News Staff

parole revoked multiple times

Conditions issued for hockey coach Bernie Lynch’s release from prison

Mar 3, 2026 | 9:48 AM

Former junior hockey coach Bernard (Bernie) Lynch will face several conditions once he’s out of prison.

In 2024, Lynch was sentenced to nearly three years for assaulting and sexually assaulting a 17-year-old-boy in August 1988.

His statutory release is coming up, but the exact date is pending.

According to Parole Board of Canada documents, Lynch has been ordered to have no direct or indirect contact with the victim. In 2025, his day parole was revoked after he sent the victim a Facebook friend request.

Lynch will also be banned from being in or near places where youth congregate, or in the presence of boys under 18 unless accompanied by a responsible adult.

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He can’t be in a position of authority over males under the age of 18, and can only have one cellphone which will be monitored by his parole supervisor.

Day parole revoked more than once

The 2025 incident was not the first time Lynch’s day parole was pulled. One month after being released to a halfway house in 2024, day parole was suspended after he committed “inappropriate and manipulative behaviour, including sexually inappropriate behaviour towards younger offenders.”

“Overall, your time on parole is concerning and does not bode well for compliance on your upcoming statutory release,” the board noted in its decision.

“Your release plan for your upcoming legislative release is unknown as you do not have a confirmed residence,” it said.

“You plan on obtaining your own apartment, rely on a homeless shelter or apply for low-income seniors housing. You have no community or familial supports in your release destination.”

During his trial and sentencing, Lynch maintained he was innocent.

The board added that Lynch has “recently taken some limited responsibility” for his actions, but that his conduct while on day parole indicates that he may fixate on sexually inappropriate thoughts and behaviours.

“Based on your cognitive distortions and minimization of your actions, the board is reasonably concerned that you continue to identify your intrinsic value as someone to ‘help’ others, which is part of your offence cycle,” it said.

As part of his sentence, Lynch is subject to a DNA order, a 20-year order under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, and a lifetime weapons ban.

Lynch’s coaching career included stints with the WHL’s Regina Pats, Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL, and the under-18 Regina Pat Canadians.

He was fired by an Ontario team in 2021 after the team learned of what it called “inappropriate communications from Mr. Lynch to a player.”