Former Manitoba girls hockey coach Madison Biluk has been sentenced to six years in prison for grooming and sexually exploiting a teenage player on her team. The sentence was handed down on Monday in a Winnipeg court, where Biluk pleaded guilty in 2024 to charges stemming from incidents that occurred when she was in her mid-20s and the victim was 15 and 16 years old.
Pattern of Abuse
According to court proceedings, the abuse spanned 16 months and involved a calculated pattern of grooming. Judge Jerilee Ryle stated that the offending was not a one-time lapse but rather a persistent exploitation carried out through secrecy, deception, and repeated violations of the victim. The judge emphasized that youth sports should be safe environments, and when a person in authority abuses that trust, the entire community feels the consequences.
Biluk began grooming the victim by driving her to hockey practices and skating lessons. The relationship escalated to late-night phone calls, private messages, and explicit photos. Discussions turned to sex and relationships, and although Biluk initially expressed reluctance due to their coach-player dynamic, she soon resumed the inappropriate behavior, including taking nude videos and photos and engaging in sexual touching.
Red Flags Ignored
Concerns about Biluk's conduct had been raised by other coaches and parents in Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, where she later moved for coaching jobs. Despite multiple warnings, her behavior continued unchecked. After her contact with the Winnipeg victim ended, Biluk moved to Alberta and other parts of Manitoba, where similar red flags emerged but no charges were filed at that time.
The court heard that Biluk used her position as coach and knowledge of the victim's past trauma and mental health issues to create an exploitative relationship. The victim's impact statement revealed severe emotional consequences, including low self-worth, depression, anxiety, trust issues, and two suicide attempts. The exploitation has also led to job loss and relationship difficulties.
Sentence and Conditions
The six-year sentence was a joint recommendation from prosecutors and defense. Biluk has been assessed as a moderate to moderate-high risk to reoffend with mid-teenage girls. As part of her sentence, she must register as a sex offender, is barred from contacting the victim, cannot work or volunteer in positions of trust with individuals under 16, and is prohibited from using Snapchat.
During the sentencing, Biluk was visibly emotional, wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and carrying a backpack. Some supporters in the courtroom shouted expressions of love for her as the sentence was read.
