A Coach’s Release Sparks Outcry Over Youth Hockey Safeguards
Rory Nathaniel Mushlin, a 40‑year‑old coach from Colorado Springs, was freed on bond after being charged with sexual assault and internet exploitation of a child. The allegations stem from investigations conducted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, which has identified multiple underage victims and continues to seek further information from the public.
Mushlin’s case mirrors that of Kevin Whitmer, a former coach who in 2024 pleaded no contest to twelve counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under fourteen and received a twenty‑five‑year prison sentence. Whitmer’s conviction led to a $4.6 million civil settlement involving Sharks Sports & Entertainment, the operator of several ice facilities where the abuse occurred.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, which maintains a public website at douglas.co.us, has urged anyone with additional details to contact Detective S. Clay. The investigation underscores a broader pattern of safety lapses that have prompted calls for stricter screening and supervision of youth hockey coaches across the state.
Coverage of the developments has been led by Sam Tabachnik of The Denver Post, whose reporting has documented the deletion of Mushlin’s online profiles and highlighted the community’s demand for accountability. The incident has intensified debates over the role of organizations such as USA Hockey and its safety protocols in protecting young athletes.