NHL players acquitted in Hockey Canada sex assault trial eligible to play December 1

Five former members of Canada’s 2018 world junior ice hockey team - Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart and Michael McLeod - will remain barred from NHL competition until at least December 1 despite being acquitted of sexual assault charges. Training camps of NHL teams are scheduled to open next week, with the regular season set to begin on October 7. The league said the players’ conduct 'fell woefully short' of its standards, though they will be eligible to sign contracts beginning October 15 and return to play in December.

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The case resulted from allegations that the five assaulted a woman in a London, Ontario, hotel room in 2018 after a Hockey Canada gala. In July, Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia acquitted them, ruling the prosecution had not proven its case.


The NHL called the incident 'deeply troubling and unacceptable' in a statement, adding that although it was not deemed criminal, the behavior 'clearly fell short' of league standards. The statement added that the league holds everyone associated with the game to 'the highest standard of moral integrity'.


Four of the players were on NHL rosters when they were charged in early 2024, having already taken leaves of absence from their respective teams. Formenton was competing professionally in Switzerland at the time. All five players are currently without contracts.

The NHL said it initiated a third-party investigation in May 2022 after becoming aware of the allegations. The review involved interviews with every member of the 2018 team and other cooperating individuals, along with an examination of hundreds of documents, videos and text messages.

Following the acquittals, league officials met with each player individually. "Each of the players... expressed regret and remorse for his actions," the NHL said.

"Nevertheless, we believe their conduct requires formal League-imposed discipline."

"The League expects and requires that, going forward, each of the players will uphold the standards required of NHL players both on and off the ice," the statement added.

The NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) welcomed the decision, stating that it had reached an agreement with the league to ensure the matter was resolved without further delay.

"The players cooperated with every investigation. Upon their full acquittal... we initiated discussions with the NHL regarding the players’ return to work," the NHLPA said in a statement.

"To avoid a protracted dispute that would cause further delay, we reached the resolution that the league announced today. We now consider the matter closed and look forward to the players' return."