Accused 'men, not boys': Complainant in Hockey Canada sex assault trial firm under intense grilling

The trial of five former Canada world junior hockey players entered its eighth day in London, Ontario, with defence lawyers intensifying their cross-examination of the complainant, E.M. The accused—Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, and Michael McLeod—have all pleaded not guilty to the charges of sexually assaulting E.M.

Julianna Greenspan, representing Cal Foote, questioned E.M. about when she became aware that the men she interacted with at Jack’s bar on June 19, 2018, were hockey players. E.M. maintained that she did not know they were hockey players until later in the evening. She also stated that it would not have influenced her actions if she had known they were world junior players.

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Greenspan suggested that E.M. had a clear agenda. She asked why E.M. now calls the accused “men” instead of “boys,” which was her term in a 2018 police statement. E.M. replied, “They were all 18 or 19. That makes them men.”

Greenspan also focused on E.M.’s knowledge of the players’ identities. In security footage from Jack’s bar, E.M. is seen talking animatedly to a friend who worked as a bouncer. Greenspan said E.M. looked excited and told the bouncer she had spent the night dancing with “Team Canada boys.” E.M. denied knowing their identities that night, saying, “I didn’t know that’s what they were.”

Another video showed E.M. chatting and laughing with one of the accused, Michael McLeod, at the bar. Greenspan claimed they were having “fun banter.” E.M. responded that she remembered being with him but couldn’t recall the conversation due to the noise and alcohol.

The defence also showed footage of the players entering Jack’s bar. Greenspan asked E.M. if she was told about their arrival by the bouncer. E.M. said she didn’t recall that. She said she only remembered the bouncer friend when she watched the videos during trial preparation in March 2025.

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Greenspan accused E.M. of hiding details about the bouncer to avoid testimony that could damage her claims. E.M. disagreed, saying, “I would have liked to have remembered that conversation. He could have confirmed I was drunk.”

The counsel also discussed E.M.’s background and her family’s ties to hockey. Greenspan suggested she must have known about the 2018 World Junior gold win. E.M. said she wasn’t a hockey fan and had no interest in the team.

The Crown can recall E.M. to clarify any points raised during the cross-examination. The trial is expected to continue later this week.