Four Canadian hockey stars remain suspended after sexual assault acquittal
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Appeals Board Maintains Suspensions for Four Canadian Hockey Stars Following Acquittal
Ninoda.com – Four Canadian hockey stars remain suspended from international competition despite being acquitted of sexual assault charges. An independent appeals board has confirmed that four of five ice hockey players should continue their bans from representing Canada on the world stage. The decision is based on violations of Hockey Canada’s code of conduct, even though criminal charges were dismissed in court. While the board recommended that four players remain suspended from all Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs, Alex Formenton is set to be reinstated despite also breaking conduct rules.
The five former under-20s junior hockey team members faced accusations related to a 2018 incident in London, Ontario. In July 2025, Justice Maria Carroccia found the evidence provided by the accuser, identified as EM, insufficient to support the charges. The court concluded that her testimony was neither credible nor reliable. The players involved are Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, and Formenton.
Background of the 2018 Incident
The allegations centered on an encounter in a London, Ontario hotel room where the athletes had gathered for a gala. According to court proceedings, EM met the players at a bar before returning to the hotel to engage in consensual sex with McLeod. Subsequently, other team members entered the room and participated in additional sexual activities with her. The pivotal question during the trial concerned whether EM, who was 20 years old at the time, consented to every sexual act that occurred that evening.
Defense attorneys argued that EM requested the men to have sex with her and that they reasonably believed she provided consent. Conversely, EM testified that she felt frightened and was intoxicated during the encounter. Although she initially agreed to intimacy with McLeod, she maintained that she did not consent to the subsequent events. The case continues to resonate across Canada despite occurring eight years prior.
Individual Suspension Timelines and Reinstatement
The appeals board’s ruling establishes varying return dates for the suspended players. Cal Foote becomes eligible to compete internationally on November 10 of this year. Carter Hart and Dillon Dube must wait until November 10, 2027, and November 10, 2028, respectively. Michael McLeod faces the longest wait, with eligibility arriving on November 10, 2030. Officials provided no explanation for the differing reinstatement periods assigned to each athlete.
Meanwhile, the National Hockey League operates under separate authority from Hockey Canada and conducted its own investigation into the matter. All five players were permitted to sign contracts with NHL teams late last year, and the ruling does not affect their eligibility to compete in the professional league. BBC Sport Hockey has followed the developments closely throughout the legal proceedings.
Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s current secretary of sport, emphasized the broader significance of the case in a statement following the appeals board’s decision on Wednesday.
“This case started a national conversation about safe sport and the problematic culture in men’s hockey,” Van Koeverden said. “It is the voices of women and survivors, and the courage and bravery it takes to come forward, that have led to changes we are seeing in toxic culture.”
Van Koeverden noted that Hockey Canada has made progress in addressing long-standing systemic failures and stressed that national sport organizations must remain accountable to the public. The organization has implemented several reforms since the incident came to light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the players suspended if they were acquitted? The suspensions are based on Hockey Canada’s code of conduct rather than criminal law. The appeals board found that the players violated the organization’s standards even though criminal charges were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
When will each player be eligible to return? Cal Foote returns on November 10, 2025. Carter Hart returns on November 10, 2027. Dillon Dube returns on November 10, 2028. Michael McLeod returns on November 10, 2030. Alex Formenton is set for immediate reinstatement.
Does this affect their NHL careers? No. The NHL operates under separate authority and conducted its own investigation. All five players were allowed to sign NHL contracts and can continue playing professionally without restriction.
What changes has Hockey Canada made? Hockey Canada has implemented reforms to address systemic issues in men’s hockey, including improved reporting mechanisms and enhanced support for survivors. The organization continues to work on cultural transformation within the sport.
