An independent appeal board has determined that five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team, who were cleared of sexual assault charges last year, have violated Hockey Canada’s code of conduct.
Hockey Canada announced on Wednesday that it has accepted the board’s recommendations regarding the ongoing suspensions and reinstatement schedules for Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, and Michael McLeod.
The players were acquitted in July 2025 following sexual assault allegations involving an incident with a woman referred to as “E.M.” during a 2018 Hockey Canada gala in London, Ontario, celebrating the national junior team’s world championship victory.
Although cleared of criminal charges, an appeal board consisting of John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen has advised that four of the players remain suspended from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.
Reinstatement dates differ among the players, with McLeod ineligible for reinstatement until November 10, 2030. Foote becomes eligible on the same date, while Hart and Dube can be reinstated 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 program, effective immediately.
The suspended players, who all had NHL careers prior to the legal proceedings, have been free to sign with NHL teams since October 15 and have been able to play since December 1.
Regarding the current whereabouts of the five players, Hart has signed with the Vegas Golden Knights and contributed to their appearance in this year’s Stanley Cup final. Dube secured an NHL contract with St. Louis on July 1. McLeod played for Omsk Avangard in the Kontinental Hockey League last season. Foote played for the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League and had a contract rescinded by Farjestad BK due to public backlash.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.
In 2022, it was revealed that Hockey Canada reached an out-of-court settlement with the woman involved, prompting Canada’s former sports minister, Pascale St. Onge, to order a forensic audit to ensure public funds were not utilized in the settlement, resulting in a freeze of federal funding to the organization for nearly a year.
Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s current secretary of sport, acknowledged the findings of the independent appeal board and emphasized the need for accountability and cultural reform within men’s hockey. He highlighted the progress made by Hockey Canada in addressing systemic issues and ensuring a safe sporting environment. Van Koeverden stressed the importance of safeguarding the well-being of all individuals involved in sports and reiterated the government’s commitment to monitoring and supporting national sport organizations in implementing measures to prevent and address misconduct.