Full Breakdown
Hockey Canada Upholds Varied Suspensions for 2018 World Junior Players After Acquittal
8/13/2026, 9:39:14 PM
Core Event
An independent appeal board found five members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team in breach of Hockey Canada’s code of conduct. Hockey Canada accepted the recommendations, keeping four players suspended from all Hockey Canada-sanctioned programmes and reinstating Alex Formenton immediately. Reinstatement dates are: Cal Foote – Nov 10 2026; Carter Hart – Nov 10 2027; Dillon Dubé – Nov 10 2028; Michael McLeod – Nov 10 2030.
Background & Context
The case stems from an alleged sexual-assault incident in a London, Ontario hotel during a Hockey Canada gala celebrating the 2018 championship. The complainant, “E.M.,” settled a civil suit in 2022, prompting parliamentary hearings and sponsor withdrawals. Criminal charges were laid in early 2024; a trial concluded with a not-guilty verdict on July 24 2025, as Justice Maria Carroccia found the complainant’s evidence not credible. Separate investigations by the NHL cleared the players for league contracts, and all five signed NHL deals by late 2025. Hockey Canada maintained indefinite suspensions pending the appeal board’s review, which began on Nov 10 2023.
Timeline
- June 2018 – Alleged incident at London hotel.
- 2022 – Civil suit settled; parliamentary scrutiny begins.
- Early 2024 – Criminal charges filed.
- July 24 2025 – Not-guilty verdict.
- Nov 10 2023 – Indefinite suspensions imposed.
- Aug 12 2026 – Appeal board decision; reinstatement dates announced.
Data & Statistics
- Suspension lengths: Foote – 3 years; Hart – 4 years; Dubé – 5 years; McLeod – 7 years; Formenton – immediate.
- NHL status: Hart (Vegas Golden Knights) and Dubé (St. Louis Blues) have active NHL contracts; McLeod is with Avangard Omsk (KHL); Foote and Formenton are free agents.
- Impact: Suspended players are barred from coaching, volunteering and representing Canada at international tournaments.
Official Statements & Responses
Hockey Canada confirmed acceptance of the board’s recommendations and said all other 2018 team members are now eligible for Hockey Canada programmes, subject to an enhanced screening process. The organization did not disclose the board’s reasoning for the differing suspension lengths.
The NHL, in a July 2025 comment, called the allegations “very disturbing” and “unacceptable,” while noting the criminal trial’s not-guilty findings.
Criticism & Opposition
Alex Formenton’s lawyer, Daniel Brown, argued that the bans caused “profound” personal and professional harm, stating the lost years “cannot be returned.” No other player-specific objections were recorded.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Police is not involved in it just erase them. All the bad video.” — Michael McLeod
- “It is not the function of this court to make determinations about the morality or propriety of the conduct of any of the persons involved in these events. The sole function of this court is to determine whether the Crown has proven each of the charges against each of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt,” — Justice Carroccia
What's Next
The IIHF World Championship in 2027 and the World Cup of Hockey in 2028 will occur after the suspensions of Hart and Dubé expire, allowing those players to be considered for selection. Future participation will be subject to the enhanced screening process outlined in Hockey Canada’s August 2026 announcement.
