An independent appeal panel has determined that five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey 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 panel’s recommendations regarding the ongoing suspensions and reinstatement dates for Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, and Michael McLeod.
The players were acquitted in July 2025 of allegations related to a 2018 incident involving a woman identified as “E.M.” at a Hockey Canada gala in London, Ont., commemorating the national junior team’s world championship victory.
However, a panel comprising John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen advised that four of the players should continue to be suspended from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.
The reinstatement dates vary for the players, with McLeod not eligible for reinstatement until November 10, 2030. Foote will be eligible on November 10, while Hart and Dube will be eligible in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Formenton is immediately eligible for reinstatement.
Hockey Canada stated that all other members of the 2018 team are now eligible for consideration to participate in any Hockey Canada-sanctioned program.
The suspended players, who had NHL careers before 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 joined St. Louis on July 1, McLeod played with Omsk Avangard in the Kontinental Hockey League, Foote played with the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League and had a contract rescinded by Farjestad BK in Sweden, and Formenton has been playing in Switzerland for the last three seasons.
In 2022, it was revealed that Hockey Canada settled a lawsuit with the woman out of court, prompting scrutiny from Canada’s sport minister at the time, Pascale St. Onge, who ordered a forensic audit and froze federal funding to the organization for nearly a year.
Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s current secretary of sport, acknowledged the panel’s findings and emphasized the importance of addressing misconduct in sports. He highlighted the progress made by Hockey Canada in implementing changes to promote a safer and more inclusive environment within the sport.
Van Koeverden stressed the need for national sports organizations to be held accountable for safeguarding the well-being of all participants and ensuring a culture of safety, respect, and integrity across all sports. The government will continue to monitor these organizations and their efforts to improve systemic practices.