US EditionNHL Legal Analyst Breaks Down Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Verdict - "The Outcome Was Predictable"
LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA, JUL 25 – The NHL maintains suspensions for five players acquitted in a 2018 sexual assault trial while it reviews the case, despite NHL Players' Association objections to the ineligibility.
- On July 24, 2025, Justice Maria Carroccia acquitted five former Hockey Canada players of sexual assault over a 2018 incident in London, Ontario.
- The case arose from sexual acts in a hotel room during a Hockey Canada gala, with the complainant alleging non-consent and fear.
- The judge found the complainant's testimony not credible, noting she exaggerated intoxication and videos showed she stated the acts were consensual.
- The NHL declared the acquitted players ineligible to play pending review, while the NHL Players' Association urged they should return after missing over a full season.
- The trial sparked important national and international dialogue on sexual violence and systemic accountability in sport, with the complainant praised for courage.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Uncertain NHL Futures for Players Acquitted in Sexual Assault Case
The professional futures of the five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team acquitted of sexual assault in a London, Ont., courtroom this week remain up in the air as the NHL conducts an analysis of the ruling. The NHL issued a statement within hours of the judge’s not-guilty ruling for Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton to say the players are currently ineligible to return to the league. “The al…
NHLPA says acquitted hockey players should get to 'return to work' after sex assault verdict
Five former world junior hockey players acquitted in a high-profile sexual assault case will remain ineligible to play in the NHL, according to the league. This move has drawn backlash from the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA), which says the players deserve to return to work. On Thursday, in a London, Ont., courtroom, Justice Maria Carroccia found Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart and Michael McLeod not guilty , more than seve…
NHL-Five former players acquitted of sexual assault face uncertain NHL future
(Reuters) -Five former members of Canada's 2018 gold medal-winning world junior ice hockey team may have been acquitted this week in a high-profile sexual assault case but whether they can resume their NHL careers is still to be determined.
NHL Says Acquitted Players Ineligible To Return Before Review Is Conducted; NHLPA Challenges Stance
On Thursday, five former NHL players — Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote — were found not guilty on sexual assault charges.The charges stemmed from an alleged 2018 incident that followed a celebration of the championship-winning Canadian World Junior Championship team, of which all five were members.However, after the verdict was revealed, the NHL stated the players should not expect to be on NHL rosters, at…
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