NHL Reinstates Players Acquitted in Sexual Assault Case

The NHL is bringing back five players who were acquitted of sexual assault earlier this summer, related to allegations stemming from a 2018 incident linked to a Hockey Canada event in Ontario.

Dillon Dove, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, and Michael McLeod have been declared eligible to sign with NHL teams starting October 15. They would be able to play in league games beginning December 1.

Dubé, Foote, Hart, and McLeod are unrestricted free agents, giving them the freedom to sign with any club. Formenton, however, is a restricted free agent, listed under group two.

Reportedly, all five players can begin conditioning with new teams on November 15.

The allegations involved an incident where Dubé, Foote, Hart, Formenton, and McLeod were accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room in June 2018, following a celebration for the World Junior Championship. They were acquitted in July of this year.

Ontario Superior Court Judge Maria Carrotcha ruled that the prosecutors had not provided sufficient evidence, deeming it “unreliable.”

In a statement on Thursday, the NHL remarked, “The league has found the behavior in question to reflect a significant lack of standards and values expected from its players and member clubs.”

Continuing, the league mentioned that the players expressed regret during discussions after the verdict, but emphasized the need for formal discipline. “The league expects each player to uphold the required standards, both on and off the ice,” the statement confirmed.

The NHL Players Association later announced that a “resolution” had been reached with the league to prevent any prolonged disputes. “We believe this issue has been resolved, and we look forward to the players’ return,” their statement concluded.

The London Police initially began investigating the allegations in February 2019, soon after they were reported. However, criticism of Hockey Canada’s response led to a renewed investigation in July 2022.

This week, NHL officials have been inquiring about the players’ eligibility. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly mentioned, “We’re going to check on their status, but it’s not certain how many might be interested in them.”

As one of the notable players among the group, Hart, who was the starting goalie for the Flyers for five seasons, is expected to attract considerable interest from NHL teams.