An independent appeal board has determined that five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team, previously cleared of sexual assault charges, violated the Hockey Canada code of conduct. Hockey Canada announced its acceptance of the board’s recommendations for 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 identified as “E.M.” during a 2018 Hockey Canada event in London, Ontario, celebrating the national junior team’s world championship victory. Despite the acquittal, a three-judge appeal board consisting of John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen advised continued suspensions from Hockey Canada-affiliated programs for four players.
Individual reinstatement dates vary for the players. McLeod is set for possible reinstatement on November 10, 2030, while Foote is eligible on the same date. Hart and Dube are slated for reinstatement in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Formenton is immediately eligible for reinstatement.
Hockey Canada has confirmed that all other members of the 2018 team can now be considered for participation in any Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs. The suspended players, who had established NHL careers before the legal proceedings, have been free to sign with NHL teams since October 15 and to play since December 1.
As for the current whereabouts of the five players, Hart joined the Vegas Golden Knights and contributed to their appearance in this year’s Stanley Cup final. Dube secured an NHL contract with St. Louis, while McLeod competed with Omsk Avangard in the Kontinental Hockey League. Foote played for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves last season and had a contract with Farjestad BK terminated amid criticism. Formenton has been playing in Switzerland for the past three seasons.
In response to public revelations in 2022 regarding an out-of-court settlement between Hockey Canada and the woman involved, the former Canadian sport minister, Pascale St. Onge, initiated a forensic audit to ensure public funds were not misused and suspended federal funding to the organization for nearly a year.
Adam van Koeverden, the current Secretary of Sport in Canada, acknowledged the appeal board’s findings and emphasized the importance of accountability in addressing issues within the sport. He highlighted the progress made by Hockey Canada in reforming its practices and commitment to creating a safe environment for all participants. Van Koeverden stressed the government’s ongoing oversight of national sport organizations to ensure the implementation of measures that promote safety, respect, and integrity in sports.