Graham Michael James (born February 7, 1952) is a former Canadian junior ice hockey coach who was convicted of sexually abusing players on his teams.
After coaching the Swift Current Broncos to the 1989 Memorial Cup championship, he was named Man of the Year by The Hockey News, an honour which was later revoked.
After completing his sentence, James obtained a federal pardon and left the country, settling in Spain and Mexico.
On May 25, 2015, it was reported that James was facing additional sexual assault charges in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
Born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, on February 7, 1952,[3] he played hockey until about the age of 18, when he stopped due to asthma attacks.
He then allegedly graduated from university, and worked as a substitute teacher in St. James-Assiniboia School Division 2, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
[4] Between 1979 and 1983, he coached Junior A Hockey, winning the Manitoba provincial title with the Fort Garry Blues.
[7] In 1994, James became the part owner, head coach and general manager of the expansion Calgary Hitmen, a new WHL franchise.
[6] When the CHA learned that James was coaching in Spain, it complained to European ice hockey officials, and he was fired.
On March 20, 2012, he was sentenced to two years in prison,[15] submitting DNA sample to national sex offender registry, and a lifetime ban on "volunteering in a position of trust to children".
[17] On April 4, 2010, it was revealed in the media that James had been issued a pardon by the Canadian National Parole Board in 2007.