An independent appeal panel has determined that five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior team, who were cleared of sexual assault allegations last year, violated the Hockey Canada code of conduct. Hockey Canada announced on Wednesday that it has accepted the panel’s recommended extended suspensions and reinstatement timelines for Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, and Michael McLeod.
The players were acquitted in July 2025 following accusations of sexual assault involving a woman referred to as “E.M.” during a 2018 Hockey Canada event in London, Ont., celebrating the national junior team’s world championship victory.
However, a panel consisting of John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen advised continued suspensions from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs for four of the players. McLeod will remain ineligible for reinstatement until Nov. 10, 2030, while Foote will be eligible on the same date. Hart and Dube will become eligible in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Formenton, on the other hand, is immediately eligible for reinstatement.
Hockey Canada has stated that all other members of the 2018 team are now eligible to be considered for participation in any Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs. The suspended players, who had NHL careers before the charges were brought against them, have been free to sign with NHL teams since Oct. 15 and play since Dec. 1.
Regarding the current whereabouts of the five players, Hart signed with the Vegas Golden Knights and contributed to their appearance in this year’s Stanley Cup final. Dube joined St. Louis on July 1, while McLeod played for Omsk Avangard in the Kontinental Hockey League last season. Foote played with the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League and recently had a contract with Farjestad BK canceled due to backlash. Formenton has been playing in Switzerland for the past three seasons.
In 2022, it was revealed that Hockey Canada settled a lawsuit out of court with the woman involved, prompting an audit by Canada’s former sport minister and a temporary freeze on federal funding to the organization. Hockey Canada executives faced scrutiny by MPs on Parliament Hill for their handling of the situation.
Adam van Koeverden, the current secretary of sport for Canada, acknowledged the appeal panel’s findings and emphasized the importance of accountability in addressing toxic cultures in sports. He highlighted the progress made by Hockey Canada in implementing changes to promote a safe environment, emphasizing the need for national sport organizations to prioritize the safety and well-being of all individuals involved. The government continues to monitor these organizations closely to ensure the implementation of measures to prevent and address misconduct.