Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote (Image via Reuters) The NHL is preparing to make a decision in the “relatively near future” on the status of five former Hockey Canada players acquitted in a high-profile sexual assault case. Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote were all cleared of charges in July following a trial that captured national attention and reignited discussions about consent and hockey culture in Canada.
Why the NHL’s decision matters for players and hockey’s image
Despite their acquittal, the five players remain ineligible to play in the NHL while the league continues its internal review. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told reporters at the NHL/NHLPA media tour in Las Vegas that “the matter is taken very seriously, and that’s why it’s still under review.” The delay has left the players in a state of uncertainty, unable to resume their professional careers in North America. Meanwhile, Hockey Canada continues to suspend them from all sanctioned activities.This situation has broader implications for the sport, as the trial renewed public debate about how hockey institutions handle issues of accountability and culture. The case, which dates back to a hotel room encounter in June 2018, involved many members of Canada’s gold-medal-winning world junior hockey team. The lengthy legal process came to an end more than seven years later, but the public and league response remain highly scrutinized.
The path ahead for the players and the league
Some of the players, including McLeod, Dube, and Foote, spent recent seasons playing in the KHL, while Alex Formenton recently joined a Swiss top league team. Carter Hart, a former Flyers star goaltender, has not played since the 2023-24 NHL season. As the NHL prepares to finalize its decision, many await whether these players will be able to return to the league or continue their careers overseas.Also Read: “He would leave Edmonton”: Analyst sparks debate by claiming Toronto Maple Leafs could steal Connor McDavid from OilersBill Daly reiterated that “a decision is expected soon,” as the league seeks to balance justice, player welfare, and its reputation amid ongoing public scrutiny.