The landscape of Canadian hockey has been rocked by a significant scandal involving several NHL players. Four players currently on NHL rosters, who were implicated in these allegations, have not been offered new contracts by their respective teams. This decision follows the filing of charges earlier this year and the ongoing investigations stemming from a lawsuit alleging sexual assault by members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team.
Player Status and Ongoing Investigations
In February, charges were filed in London, Ontario, against five players connected to the 2018 allegations. These players subsequently took a leave of absence from their teams. 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 been left without qualifying offers, effectively rendering them free agents.
The origins of this scandal date back to a lawsuit filed in 2022 by a woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted by eight members of the Canadian team after a fundraising gala in London in 2018. The lawsuit led to Hockey Canada settling the case and triggered further investigations into the incident.
Details of the Incident
The alleged incident occurred on June 19, 2018, at the Delta Hotel London Armouries. The lawsuit describes how a 20-year-old woman claimed a player, referred to as "John Doe #1," took her to a hotel room and invited seven other men to perform undisclosed sexual acts. She further alleged that these men intimidated her and prevented her from leaving. They then directed her to take a shower and instructed her to state on video that she was sober.
London Police were notified later that day by the woman's relative, which prompted an investigation. This initial investigation was closed in 2019 without any charges being filed. However, the filing of the lawsuit in 2022 reignited the case, leading to charges against five members of the team.
Among those charged is Alex Formenton, who was formerly an NHL player and is now with the Swiss club HC Ambri-Piotta. The NHL also launched its own investigation into the matter in 2022.
Impact on Players and Teams
The four NHL players involved were on paid leave from their teams until the end of this month. With their release into free agency, their professional futures hang in the balance as they await the legal outcomes. This scandal has caused significant ripples throughout Canadian hockey, exposing the need for deeper organizational introspection and comprehensive reforms.
Reflecting on the charges, Detective Sgt. Katherine Dann from the London Police commented, “for all the charges we have reasonable grounds for.” The ongoing legal processes and investigations may further reveal the extent of the scandal and its lasting impact on the individuals and the sport.
As the story unfolds, the reverberations of this scandal illuminate the pressing need for change within hockey institutions. The events highlight the vital conversation about accountability, respect, and security in sports environments, raising questions that leagues and organizations must address to protect their players and communities.