An independent appeal board has determined that five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team, previously cleared of sexual assault charges, 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 following allegations of sexual assault involving an incident with a woman referred to as “E.M.” during a 2018 Hockey Canada event in London, Ontario celebrating the national junior team’s championship victory.
A three-judge appeal board composed of John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen suggested continued suspensions from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs for four of the players. McLeod’s reinstatement eligibility is set for November 10, 2030, while Foote, Hart, and Dube are scheduled for reinstatement on November 10 in 2027, 2028, and 2028, respectively. Formenton, however, is immediately eligible for reinstatement.
Hockey Canada has confirmed that all other members of the 2018 team can now be considered for participation in any Hockey Canada-sanctioned program, effective immediately.
The suspended players, who had NHL careers before the legal proceedings, have been allowed to sign with NHL teams since October 15 and have been eligible to play since December 1.
In terms of current whereabouts, Hart joined the Vegas Golden Knights and contributed to their advancement to this year’s Stanley Cup final. Dube secured an NHL contract with St. Louis, while McLeod played for Omsk Avangard in the Kontinental Hockey League. Foote competed for the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves, but his contract with Farjestad BK was recently revoked amid criticism of the signing. Formenton has been playing in Switzerland for the past three seasons.
In 2022, it was revealed that Hockey Canada settled a lawsuit with the woman out of court, prompting Canada’s then-sport minister, Pascale St. Onge, to order a forensic audit to ensure that public funds were not utilized in the settlement, leading to a temporary freeze of federal funds to the organization.
Acknowledging the appeal board’s findings, Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s current secretary of sport, emphasized the importance of accountability and the need for a safer sports environment. He highlighted the progress made by Hockey Canada in addressing systemic issues and emphasized the government’s commitment to monitoring and promoting a culture of safety and integrity in sports.
