The Metro Vancouver man charged with several child pornography counts this week used to coach a professional hockey player, CTV News has learned.
Randy Downes, 59, once coached Coquitlam native Matthew Barzal, a former member of Team Canada's junior hockey team who is set to make his NHL debut for the New York Islanders this season.
Downes coached various levels of hockey and baseball in the region for decades before being charged this week with four counts of making or publishing child pornography, four counts of secretly observing or recording nudity in a private place, and one count of child pornography possession.
Few details of the allegations against him have been released, but Mounties said they believe Downes took photos of children in a public setting between June 2013 and April 2016.
There is no evidence to suggest the coach ever had sexual contact with children, the RCMP added.
One of his former players, Quinn Allen, told CTV News he'd never heard of anything like that either.
"He never did anything uncomfortable toward me," said Quinn, who played for Downes for two years before going on to play college baseball.
Downes was released from custody on $1,000 bail following his first court appearance Wednesday, subject to nine conditions.
CTV News called the coach's cell phone, but was told he wasn't available.
"He's not here right now," said a man who answered the call, adding that Downes doesn’t plan to make a statement on the allegations against him. "He's not releasing anything, so thank you."
Downes is president of the Coquitlam-Moody Minor Baseball Association, and last year coached a team of children under the age of 13, but has been suspended from all involvement in minor sports.
The association said it's received no information from the RCMP that any alleged victims are or were involved with baseball.
Mounties have asked anyone with concerns about Downes's behaviour over the years to come forward and assist in their investigation.
With a report from CTV Vancouver's Jonathan Glasgow
