Five 2018 World Junior players breached Hockey Canada code despite sexual assault acquittals
An appeal board upheld suspensions for four of the players, with reinstatement dates ranging from November 2026 to 2030. One player was reinstated immediately.
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An independent appeal board has ruled that five players from Canada's 2018 world junior team breached Hockey Canada's code of conduct, despite being acquitted of sexual assault charges in July 2025. Hockey Canada accepted the panel's recommendations for continued suspensions.
The five players — Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, and Michael McLeod — were acquitted by Justice Maria Carroccia in a trial that lasted eight weeks. The charges stemmed from an encounter with a woman known as "E.M." at a Hockey Canada gala in London, Ontario in 2018, celebrating the national junior team's world championship gold medal.
The three-judge appeal board — comprised of former judges John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen — recommended that four of the players remain suspended from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs. Formenton is eligible for immediate reinstatement, while Foote will be eligible on November 10, 2026; Hart on November 10, 2027; Dubé on November 10, 2028; and McLeod on November 10, 2030.
The suspensions bar players from coaching, volunteering, and representing Canada at international tournaments including the world championships, Olympics, and Spengler Cup — but do not restrict their National Hockey League eligibility or play.
Hart signed with the Vegas Golden Knights and started in goal when the team reached the Stanley Cup final this year. Dubé signed with St. Louis on July 1, becoming the second of the five to secure NHL work since becoming eligible to sign teams on October 15 and play on December 1. McLeod played last season with Omsk Avangard of the Kontinental Hockey League, Foote played for the Chicago Wolves, and Formenton has been playing in Switzerland.
All other players from the 2018 team are now eligible for consideration in any Hockey Canada-sanctioned program, effective immediately. The board found no other players from that roster breached the code of conduct.
What specific provisions of the Hockey Canada code of conduct did the appeal board find the players breached?
Did the appeal board's written decision provide reasons for the varying lengths of suspension?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How many players from Canada's 2018 world junior team were found to have breached Hockey Canada's code of conduct?
Five players — Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, and Michael McLeod — breached the code of conduct despite being acquitted of sexual assault charges.
When is Carter Hart eligible for reinstatement to Hockey Canada programs?
Carter Hart is eligible for reinstatement on November 10, 2027.
What does the suspension prevent the five players from doing?
The suspensions bar the players from coaching, volunteering, and representing Canada at international tournaments including the world championships, Olympics, and Spengler Cup, but do not restrict their National Hockey League eligibility or play.
Which of the five players was eligible for immediate reinstatement?
Alex Formenton is eligible for immediate reinstatement to Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.
