Jury dismissed in Hockey Canada ex-junior players’ sexual assault case, judge to decide fate alone

The trial of five former Team Canada world junior hockey players took a dramatic turn on Friday, May 16, when Justice Maria Carroccia dismissed the jury in the high-profile sexual assault case in London, Ontario.

Justice Carroccia said it was appropriate to discharge the jury but did not publicly give detailed reasons. The trial will now continue as a judge-alone proceeding, which means Justice Carroccia will decide the accused's guilt or innocence. Both the Crown and defence agreed to this change in the trial format.

A judge dismisses a juror if they show bias, conflicts of interest, or can’t be impartial. Jurors may also be dismissed if they prevent a unanimous decision necessary for a fair trial. Both sides can request dismissal, but the judge must approve.


The case centres around allegations of a group sexual assault in 2018 involving members of Canada’s world junior hockey team. The complainant, known as E.M., has already testified in court and was cross-examined extensively. Her testimony included emotional and graphic details of the alleged assault.

The trial is hearing from Tyler Steenbergen, a former teammate of the accused. Steenbergen began his testimony on Wednesday and is appearing remotely from Alberta. On Thursday morning, the court faced some technical issues with the video feed, causing a short delay.

Consent videos recorded by the players and shared in a group chat have also been a major focus in court. The videos will play a significant role in the case.

This case has drawn national attention due to the involvement of prominent young athletes and Hockey Canada. It has also raised concerns about hockey culture and the treatment of sexual assault complaints in sports.

The trial continues at the Superior Court of Justice in London. More witnesses are expected in the coming days. Justice Carroccia will now bear full responsibility for evaluating the evidence and reaching a verdict, as there is no jury to weigh in.

All the accused in this case, Cal Foote, Dillon Dubé, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, and Michael McLeod, have pleaded not guilty to the charges.