More than half of youth hockey players and coaches say disrespect to women is a problem in CanadaB次元官网网址檚 sport, according to a survey released Wednesday.

This sentiment increases to 63 per cent among those who have spent time around the game cheering on a close friend, family member or partner.

Angus Reid Institue polled more than 1,600 people and 400 had first-hand experience as a player, coach, team manager or referee.

Findings indicate a culture of racism, misogyny and bullying has gripped the game B次元官网网址� 64 per cent of people involved said players are known to bully kids outside of the rink.

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Shachi Kurl, president of Angus Reid, said Canada as a whole has a largely positive view of the sport.

B次元官网网址淰ast majorities of people in this country still see youth hockey, recreational hockey as a massive force for good in Canada. ItB次元官网网址檚 part of Canadian identity,B次元官网网址� Kurl said.

Nine in 10 Canadians said hockey provides a communal sense of identity.

come just days after Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen, 24, was put on leave over sexual assault allegations.

Kurl said considering the results of the survey, itB次元官网网址檚 not surprising complaints of abuse towards women are lodged against NHL players.

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