A minor hockey club in London, Ont., is reeling after learning one of their coaches is accused of sexually assaulting a young boy he babysat in Durham Region during the late 90s.

Durham Regional Police say an investigation was sparked earlier this month after the alleged victim, now an adult, came forward with his historic complaint about an “inappropriate sexual relationship” with the accused.

“The victim reported that the suspect, who was in his 20s at the time, would babysit himself and his siblings during a period when he rented a basement apartment in the victim’s family home in Pickering,” Sgt. Bill Calder said Wednesday. “Between 1995 and 1999, the victim alleges inappropriate sexual activity with the suspect at the Pickering address, an address in Uxbridge where the family moved to and at a house in Tiverton, Ont., while on a family visit.”

He said the suspect moved in 1999 to the London area, where he coaches minor hockey.

Danny Trepanier, 42, surrendered to Durham cops on Wednesday. He is charged with three counts each of sexual assault and sexual interference as well as two counts of invitation to sexual touching.

The accused was held in custody awaiting a bail hearing, Calder said.

The London Jr. Knights confirmed Trepanier has been a coach in their organization for “several years.”

“We’re in a bit of a state of shock presently,” Kevin Egan, the club’s president, said moments after learning of the allegations. “Everyone in our organization is shaken at the moment.”

He said Trepanier has been the head coach of the Jr. Knights Minor Peewee AAA team, which is made up of 11-year-old boys.

“Obviously, Mr. Trepanier will not be coaching with our organization,” Egan said, before pointing out the accused has yet to be convicted of any wrongdoing.

“This is an allegation only at this point,” he cautioned.

Egan assured parents that the club screen’s all applicants for coaching positions

“They must go through a police check,” he said. “We also have protocols in place to make sure coaches aren’t alone with kids.”

Egan said Trepanier has had “good success” during his tenure with the Jr. Knights, one of the top hockey clubs in Ontario.

“We are trying to deal with this as best we can,” he said. “And we will be speaking to the players’ parents.”

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call investigators in the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5248, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

cdoucette@postmedia.com