Editor’s note: This story contains mentions of sexual assault. Please proceed with caution.
The hockey world will likely be gaining some much-needed clarity about the Hockey Canada sexual assault scandal that has been the talk of the sport for years. On January 24, The Globe and Mail’s Robyn Doolittle released a report stating that five members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior team are set to surrender to the London, Ontario police to face sexual assault charges.
This news is the latest domino to fall in the years-long investigation into Hockey Canada and the allegations that members of the 2018 World Junior team sexually assaulted a woman.
Here is everything you need to know about this ongoing situation with Hockey Canada and the NHL’s involvement in the matter.
What is the Hockey Canada scandal and how did it come to light?
In May 2022, TSN reported that Hockey Canada — the national governing body of the sport — paid a $3.55 million settlement to a woman who alleged that she was sexually assaulted by members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior team. The incident reportedly took place during a Hockey Canada gala in June 2018, months after the World Junior team won gold over Sweden.
According to the lawsuit filed by the woman against Hockey Canada in April 2022, the woman allegedly met some of the players at a bar after the gala before going to a hotel room with one of the players, where they engaged in consensual sexual acts. Afterwards, the woman alleged that seven other hockey players entered the room, and she was sexually assaulted, despite her attempts to leave.
A month after the initial report in 2022, Hockey Canada was put under investigation by Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport. During this time, TSN reported that that Hockey Canada used money from its organization’s National Equity Fund — made up partially from player registration fees — to pay out $7.6 million in settlements across nine sexual assault cases since 1989.
While no public funds were used by Hockey Canada, reports revealed that the organization used money from the National Equity Fund to create the Participants Legacy Trust Fund. This fund was reportedly created and used “for matters including but not limited to sexual abuse”.
What happened to Hockey Canada in the wake of this scandal?
In June 2022, the Canadian government froze funding directed towards Hockey Canada while it was under investigation. Not only that, Hockey Canada lost major sponsors such as Tim Hortons, Telus and Esso in the aftermath. While many of those sponsors returned in late 2023, Nike permanently cut ties with Hockey Canada in July 2023 due to its handling of this sexual assault scandal.
During this time, Hockey Canada cleaned house with its Board of Directors and has since instituted its most recent board in November 2023.
How many players were involved in the 2018 incident at the Hockey Canada gala?
In the original 2022 lawsuit, it was alleged that eight Canadian Hockey League players were involved in sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room during a Hockey Canada charity event. In the time that followed, the number was narrowed down to five players from the 2018 Canadian World Junior team, according to London Police.
Not only that, an independent investigation revealed that during the Hockey Canada event, players violated the organization’s code of conduct, though no details were revealed about the report in question.
A number of NHL players from the 2018 Canadian World Junior team have distanced themselves from the incident, including Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Connor Timmins and more.
What has been the NHL's response to this latest news in the Hockey Canada scandal?
According to The Athletic‘s Katie Strang, the NHL is not commenting on the matter at this time.
Have reached out to NHL for comment. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said there is nothing the league can say at this time. https://t.co/tUx7V6467X
— Katie Strang (@KatieJStrang) January 24, 2024
The NHL Players Association also has refrained from comment, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.
The NHLPA is also not commenting at the moment. https://t.co/B8Uv2FlLAi
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 24, 2024
Do we know the names of the NHL players involved in the Hockey Canada scandal?
On January 28, Alex Formenton — former NHL player with the Ottawa Senators and current player in the Swiss National League — turned himself into the London Police as part of the Hockey Canada investigation.
BREAKING: Alex Formenton, a former NHL player with the Ottawa Senators and 2018 junior player, has turned himself into London police. "Alex will vigorously defend his innocence and asks that people not rush to judgment without hearing all of the evidence.” https://t.co/7zjnNqvJsK
— Robyn Doolittle (@robyndoolittle) January 28, 2024
On January 30, a report from TSN‘s Rick Westhead named four NHL players who were directed to surrender to London Police. Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart, Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube, and New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod and defenseman Cal Foote are all reportedly set to be charged with sexual assault in relation to the 2018 Hockey Canada incident.
Four NHLers – Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube & Cal Foote – have been directed to surrender to London police to be charged with sexual assault in connection with an alleged incident that occurred during a 2018 Hockey Canada event.
From @rwesthead:… pic.twitter.com/8JeYMibBJt
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 30, 2024
The London Police also said it will hold a press conference on February 5 to share further details on their investigation into the 2018 World Junior team.
The London Police Service says it will hold a press conference on Mon. Feb. 5 to share details of the 2018 World Junior team investigation. pic.twitter.com/D9HrhDSVlc
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 24, 2024
Have the players involved said anything about the charges?
As of January 30, lawyers for Dube, McLeod, Hart, and Foote all confirmed the sexual assault charges and have stated that their clients all will plead not guilty
A lawyer for Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube confirms Dube has been charged with sexual assault and says he will plead not guilty. pic.twitter.com/uBSQ77qqRw
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) January 30, 2024
Lawyers for Michael McLeod say the New Jersey Devils forward has been charged with sexual assault and that he will plead not guilty. pic.twitter.com/7AXyYZzUrs
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) January 30, 2024
The lawyers for #flyers goalie Carter Hart confirm that he has been charged with one count of sexual assault and say he will provide a "full response to this false allegation in the proper forum, a court of law." pic.twitter.com/40FnqX6Hcb
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 30, 2024
A lawyer for Cal Foote confirms that the New Jersey Devil defenceman has been charged with sexual assault and says that Foote is innocent. pic.twitter.com/StswNp9CuM
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) January 30, 2024
We will update this article with any further information as it comes to light.
