All five former NHL players walk free in sexual assault case

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A judge announced Thursday that five former players from Canada’s 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Team were not found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room this year.

The allegations against Michael McLeod, Alex Formin, Dillon Dub, Carter Hart and Call Foot were held in a hotel room in the Canadian city of London to celebrate the team’s World Junior Championship victory after a hockey Canada Gala.

The five former National Hockey League (NHL) players were accused of sexual abuse, while McLeod faced additional allegations of being a party in a crime. They all requested not to be guilty.

McLeod was also acquitted with extra charge.

The NHL said in a statement, “The allegations that are not considered guilty in this case were very disturbing and the treatment was unacceptable.”

“When we perform this analysis and consider the next steps, the players received in this matter are ineligible to play in the league,” the NHL said.

According to CBC News, Justice Maria Kerokia told the court that she did not find the complainant’s evidence “credible or reliable” and that the guardian failed to prove that she did not agree with sexual activity.

The complainant’s lawyer, Karen Belhumor, who has been identified as MK only because of his ban on publication, said he had talked to his client – who had seen the proceedings from afar – after the decision.

“They are very disappointed with the results of its integrity and reliability of its honor and honor of its honor,” said Belhumor. “Never experienced it before.”

Wali Ahad Attorney Meghan Kaningham told reporters that he would “carefully review” Kerokia’s decision, but he refused to comment further because the matter is still in the appeal period.

Defense focused on questioning EM’s reputation.

“Justice Kerosia’s careful decision represents a strong steadfastness for Mr MacLeod and his fellow defendants,” said David Humfri, a lawyer for MacLeod.

“He found out the lack of reputation in the complainant’s testimony and was incredible.”

When charges were made in January 2024, McLeod and Foot were with New Jersey Devils, playing for Dobbie Calgary Flames, Heart for Philadelphia Flyers, and Formontin played in Switzerland.

The trial, which began in April and the national attention was drawn, had repeatedly encountered obstacles before the judge continued the case as a case alone, including a false case and two jury dismissal.

Police stopped the initial investigation in February 2019 without any charges. However, the matter was reopened in July 2022 after public grief that Hockey Canada used the registration fee of players for a private settlement with the complainant.

Due to the scandal, the Canadian federal government has frozen Hockey Canadian funds for 10 months. Several major sponsor people also stopped or canceled deals with the organization.

In response, Hockey Canada promises to stop using a player’s financial support pool to resolve sexual exploitation claims. The CEO and the Board of Directors of the organization resigned.

In 2023, Hockey Canada said an independent panel had heard to determine whether some members of the 2018 junior team violated its code of conduct, and if so, should the sanctions be followed?

The final report is under appeal and is secret.

Hockey Canada did not name the party that filed an appeal. In September, the panel adjourned the appeal hearing until the criminal case was completed.

Hockey Canada said in a statement after the verdict, “To maintain the integrity of the panel’s report on the issue, we cannot comment more at this time.”