After nearly two years since the Hockey Canada sexual assault scandal, and the subsequent cover-up, broke in the news, the London Police Service formally charged five members of the 2018 World Junior squad with sexual assault.

The five players, four of whom are now in the NHL, are Carter Hart (Philadelphia), Dillon Dubé (Calgary), Cal Foote and Michael McLeod (both of New Jersey), along with former NHLer Alex Formenton, playing last with Ambrì-Piotta in the Swiss National League. All five had taken leave from their respective teams over the past week, but charges were only formally announced today in London, Ontario, Canada, home of a June 2018 post-tournament charity event in which the alleged assault took place.

London police had initially closed the investigation in 2019, but the event came to light in an explosive scandal in July 2022, when it was revealed that Hockey Canada had settled with the accuser for a hefty sum, using player registration funds from Canadian youth players for the settlement, leading to sponsorships being severed and a federal government investigation into Hockey Canada’s funding, resulting in an overhaul of Hockey Canada’s board of directors.

Hart, Dubé, Foote, McLeod and Formenton were all formally charged on 30 January, with the charges confirmed today at a press conference led by London Police Chief Thai Truong. The five began to take leaves from their teams by 24 January, descending on London to face charges. All five have pleaded their innocence, while the next hearing to set a trial date is scheduled for 30 April.

Hockey Canada has also confirmed that until the investigation is formally completed, all members of the 2018 Gold medal-winning team will not be eligible to compete for Canada in international competition, meaning the likes of Cale Makar and Robert Thomas will remain ineligible for any future tournaments, potentially including the NHL’s return to the Olympics in 2026, which was just announced this weekend.

Photo Credit: 2018 World Junior Championship – IIHF – HHOF – IOC