The landscape of Canadian hockey has been marred by a scandal that is reshaping the professional lives of several NHL players. Four players currently on NHL rosters, implicated in allegations of sexual assault, have not been offered new contracts by their respective teams.
This decision stems from charges filed earlier this year and ongoing investigations arising from a 2022 lawsuit alleging sexual assault by members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team. In February, charges were brought against five players connected to these allegations in London, Ontario.
The players involved took a leave of absence from their teams as the investigations progressed. Among them are the Philadelphia Flyers' goaltender Carter Hart, the New Jersey Devils' Michael McLeod and Cal Foote, and Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube. These players have now found themselves without qualifying offers, thus entering free agency.
The scandal originated from a lawsuit filed last year by a woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted by eight members of the Canadian team following a fundraising gala in London, Ontario, in 2018. Hockey Canada settled the lawsuit, which spurred further investigations. Notably, Hockey Canada had maintained two secret funds to address claims of sexual assault and abuse.
Incident Details
The alleged incident occurred on June 19, 2018, at the Delta Hotel London Armouries. The woman, who was 20 years old at the time, claimed a player, identified as "John Doe #1," took her to a hotel room before inviting seven other men to perform undisclosed sexual acts. She asserted that the men intimidated her and prevented her from leaving the room. Furthermore, they directed her to take a shower and asked her to state on video that she was sober.
Later that day, a relative of the victim alerted London Police, which initiated an investigation. However, the probe was closed in 2019 without charges being filed. The lawsuit’s filing in 2022, however, renewed the investigation and eventually led to charges against five members of the team.
Broader Implications
Among those charged is Alex Formenton, formerly an NHL player and now with the Swiss club HC Ambri-Piotta, who faces sexual assault charges. The National Hockey League (NHL) launched its own investigation into the matter last year.
The four NHL players mentioned were on paid leave from their teams until the end of this month. Now released into free agency, their professional futures hang in the balance as they await the legal outcomes.
The impact of this scandal has reverberated through Canadian hockey, underscoring the urgent need for organizational introspection and reform. Detective Sgt. Katherine Dann of the London Police emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that charges would be pressed "for all the charges we have reasonable grounds for."
As investigations continue, the need for structural changes within hockey organizations becomes ever more apparent. This episode not only affects the careers of the players involved but also damages the reputation of Canadian hockey, calling for a thorough and transparent overhaul of its policies and practices toward handling such grave allegations.