Four Canadian hockey players acquitted of sexual assault charges will remain barred from representing the country internationally after an independent appeals board found that they violated Hockey Canada’s code of conduct.
The decision concerns Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Carter Hart, who, along with Alex Formenton, were accused of sexually assaulting a woman during an incident in a London, Ontario, hotel room in 2018. All five players were acquitted in July 2025 after a trial that centred on whether the woman had consented to the sexual activity that took place.
The appeals board recommended that McLeod, Dube, Foote and Hart remain suspended from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programmes. Formenton was also found to have breached the organisation’s conduct rules but will be reinstated and is immediately eligible to represent Canada.
The differing sanctions mean the other four players will remain unavailable for international hockey for varying periods. Foote’s suspension is due to end on 10 November this year. While Hart and Dube will become eligible in 2027 and 2028 respectively. McLeod faces the longest wait, with his suspension scheduled to expire on 10 November 2030.
Officials did not explain why the players were given different reinstatement dates. The Hockey Canada ruling does not prevent any of the five from playing in the National Hockey League (NHL), which operates independently of the national governing body. The players were cleared to return to NHL competition late last year after the league completed its own investigation into the incident.
Case Origin
The original case stemmed from an encounter at a hotel in London after the players attended a gala. The woman, identified in court as EM, had met McLeod at a bar before going to the hotel. After which she initially consented to sexual activity with him. Other players later entered the room.
Prosecutors argued that EM did not consent to the sexual acts that followed. She testified that she was intoxicated and frightened by the men. The defence maintained that the players believed she had consented. Justice Maria Carroccia acquitted the five players in July 2025, saying she did not find EM’s evidence credible or reliable.
Despite the criminal acquittals, the case has continued to fuel debate in Canada over the culture surrounding men’s hockey. And the responsibilities of sporting organisations.
Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s secretary of sport, said the case had sparked a national discussion about safe sport and what he described as a problematic culture in men’s hockey. He said the experiences of women and survivors had helped drive changes within the sporting system. While also stressing that national sports organisations must remain accountable for addressing what he called long-standing systemic failures.
The appeals board’s decision therefore leaves the five players in different positions: all remain eligible for professional NHL careers. However, only Formenton can currently return to Hockey Canada programmes. The other four will have to wait until their respective suspension periods expire.
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