The NHL is set to decide soon on five players acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial, as they remain ineligible pending league review.
League Awaits Final Decision
The NHL says a decision is expected “in the near future” on the playing status of five former Hockey Canada players recently acquitted in a high-profile sexual assault trial. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed Tuesday that the review remains ongoing, with the athletes still barred from league play until the process is complete.
Players at the Centre of the Case
Goaltender Carter Hart, forwards Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and defenceman Cal Foote were all found not guilty on July 24 in London, Ontario. The verdict followed a lengthy trial examining allegations stemming from an encounter in June 2018 involving members of Canada’s world junior championship team.
The Trial and Its Outcome
The case took more than seven years to move through the courts before ending in acquittals. McLeod, in addition to the joint charge, was also cleared of a separate count of being a party to the offence. Justice Maria Carroccia’s ruling reignited national conversations about consent, accountability, and the culture surrounding Canadian hockey.
Ongoing Restrictions
Despite the verdict, the NHL confirmed the players remain ineligible to participate in league competition while its internal review continues. The NHL Players’ Association has criticized that decision, while Hockey Canada has kept the group suspended from all sanctioned events. Daly emphasized the league is treating the matter seriously before reaching a conclusion.
Wider Impact on Careers
The unresolved status has affected each player differently. Hart, once a cornerstone goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers, has not played since 2024. McLeod and Foote moved to Russia’s KHL, Dubé also spent time overseas, and Formenton signed recently with a Swiss league club after a brief retirement. Their collective absence from the NHL underscores the stakes of the pending ruling.
What Comes Next
While Daly stopped short of offering a timeline, he noted the review process is nearing completion. The league’s decision will determine whether the players can resume NHL careers or remain sidelined indefinitely. Beyond the ice, the case continues to fuel discussions on how hockey organizations respond to allegations of misconduct and support cultural change in the sport.
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