Hockey school founder guilty of stealing money raised for teens' European tour

A man who stole money from a private hockey association in Penticton, B.C., has been sentenced to one year in jail after pleading guilty to theft over $5,000.

Loren Reagan has also been sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay a standalone restitution order of $80,000 tothe 16families who fell victim to his theft.

The court heard how Reagan, co-founder of the now-defunct OkanaganElite Hockey Association, raised $130,000 in 2011 in fees fromfamilies and through unlicensed raffles.

The money was supposed to fund a tour of Europe for 13- and 14-year-old playersthat never materialized.

Reagan was arrested in Calgary in March after failing to show up for a previous court date.

Despite being sentenced to jail time, Reagan walked free Monday because he had already served the equivalent of 12 months and 12 days with enhanced credit.

Earlier this year, Reagan's former business partner Michael GordonElphickewas sentenced to two years of house arrest followed by three yearsprobation and was ordered to pay $117,000 in restitution to the families.