An independent appeal board has determined that five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior team, who were cleared of sexual assault charges last year, violated the Hockey Canada code of conduct.
Hockey Canada announced on Wednesday that it has accepted the board’s recommendations regarding the ongoing suspensions and reinstatement dates for Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, and Michael McLeod.
The players were acquitted in July 2025 following allegations of sexual assault involving a woman referred to as “E.M.” during a 2018 Hockey Canada gala in London, Ont., which celebrated the national junior team’s world championship victory.
Despite the acquittal, a panel consisting of John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen has advised that four of the players remain suspended from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.
Reinstatement timelines vary among the players, with McLeod ineligible for reinstatement until Nov. 10, 2030. Foote’s eligibility begins on Nov. 10, while Hart and Dube will be eligible on Nov. 10 in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Formenton is immediately eligible for reinstatement.
Hockey Canada has stated that all other members of the 2018 team are now eligible for consideration to participate in any Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities.
The suspended players, who had active NHL careers before the allegations, have been free to sign with NHL teams since Oct. 15 and have been eligible to play since Dec. 1.
As for the current whereabouts of the five players, Hart has signed with the Vegas Golden Knights and contributed to the team’s recent appearance in the Stanley Cup final. Dube secured a contract with St. Louis on July 1, while McLeod played for Omsk Avangard in the Kontinental Hockey League last season. Foote competed with the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League and had a contract rescinded by Farjestad BK due to public backlash. Formenton has been playing in Switzerland for the past three seasons.
After it was revealed in 2022 that Hockey Canada settled a lawsuit with the woman out of court, the former sport minister Pascale St. Onge initiated a forensic audit to ensure public funds were not utilized in the settlement, leading to a freeze in federal funding to the organization for nearly a year.
Hockey Canada officials faced questioning by MPs on Parliament Hill regarding their handling of the situation. Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s current secretary of sport, acknowledged the appeal board’s findings and emphasized the importance of accountability and changes in the culture of men’s hockey.
Since 2022, Hockey Canada has made significant strides in addressing systemic issues and has become a full participant in the Canadian Safe Sport Program, demonstrating a commitment to a culture of transformation.
The government continues to monitor national sport organizations closely to ensure the implementation of measures that prioritize safety, respect, and integrity across all sports, recognizing the need for accountability and safeguarding against maltreatment.