July 25, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team were acquitted on Thursday in a high-profile sexual assault trial in London, Ontario. However, their ability to resume their NHL careers remains in question.
Just hours after the judge’s decision, the NHL announced that Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote would be ineligible to play while the league reviews the findings of the case.
In response, the NHLPA (National Hockey League Players’ Association) stated that its players “should have the opportunity to return to work.”
Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia ruled that the players were found not guilty of all charges related to an encounter with a woman in a hotel room seven years ago.
Despite the acquittals, the NHL described the allegations in the case as “very disturbing,” even if they were not deemed criminal. The league also characterized the players’ behavior as “unacceptable.”
“We will be reviewing and considering the judge’s findings,” the NHL’s statement read. “While we conduct that analysis and determine next steps, the players charged in this case are ineligible to play in the league.”
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