An independent appeal board has determined that five players who were previously cleared of sexual assault allegations in 2025 have 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 timelines for Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, and Michael McLeod.
The players were acquitted in July 2025 concerning claims of sexual assault during a 2018 Hockey Canada event in London, Ont., where the national junior team celebrated their world championship victory. However, a panel of three appeal judges – John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen – advised that four of the players should remain suspended from Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities.
The reinstatement dates for the players vary, with McLeod becoming eligible on Nov. 10, 2030, Foote on Nov. 10, and Hart and Dube on Nov. 10 in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Formenton is immediately eligible for reinstatement. Other members of the 2018 team are now open for consideration to participate in Hockey Canada programs.
Since the charges were dropped, the suspended players, who had NHL careers before the accusations, have been able to sign with NHL teams starting from Oct. 15 and resume playing from Dec. 1.
Regarding the current whereabouts of the five players, Hart has joined the Vegas Golden Knights and contributed to their advancement to this year’s Stanley Cup final. Dube signed with St. Louis on July 1, while McLeod played for Omsk Avangard in the Kontinental Hockey League last season. Foote played for the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League and recently had a contract with Farjestad BK canceled due to public backlash. Formenton has been playing in Switzerland for the past three seasons.
In response to the situation, Hockey Canada executives faced questioning by MPs on Parliament Hill. Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s current secretary of sport, acknowledged the appeal board’s findings and emphasized the importance of accountability and promoting a culture of safety in sports. Since 2022, Hockey Canada has made significant progress in addressing systemic issues and has committed to the Canadian Safe Sport Program to foster positive changes within the organization and the sport at large. The Canadian government continues to monitor national sport organizations to ensure the implementation of measures that prioritize the safety and well-being of all participants.
