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, violated the Hockey Canada code of conduct. Hockey Canada announced on Wednesday that it has accepted the board’s recommendations for the continued suspensions and reinstatement dates of Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, and Michael McLeod.
In July 2025, the five players were acquitted of sexual assault allegations related to an incident involving a woman known as “E.M.” at a 2018 Hockey Canada gala in London, Ontario. However, a three-judge appeal board consisting of John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen advised that four of the players should remain suspended from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.
The reinstatement dates vary for the players, with McLeod set to be eligible for reinstatement on November 10, 2030. Foote will be eligible on the same date, while Hart and Dube will be eligible in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Formenton, on the other hand, is eligible for immediate reinstatement.
Hockey Canada stated that all other members of the 2018 team are now eligible to participate in any Hockey Canada-sanctioned program. The suspended players, who had NHL careers prior to the charges, have been able to sign with NHL teams since October 15 and play since December 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 signed with St. Louis on July 1, McLeod played for Omsk Avangard in the Kontinental Hockey League, Foote played for the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League, and Formenton has been playing in Switzerland for the past three seasons.
In 2022, it was revealed that Hockey Canada had reached a settlement with the woman involved in the case outside of court. This led to an audit being ordered by Canada’s sport minister at the time, Pascale St. Onge, to ensure that public funds were not used 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 appeal board, emphasizing the importance of accountability and the changes being made in the culture of men’s hockey. He highlighted the progress made by Hockey Canada in addressing systemic failures and its commitment to a safe sporting environment. The government continues to monitor national sport organizations to ensure the implementation of measures to prevent and address misconduct for the safety and well-being of all participants in sports.