Four former Canadian junior hockey players will remain suspended, according to an independent appeals board.
Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Carter Hart — all of whom were acquitted of sexual assault charges last year — will be barred from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programmes until their reinstatement dates trigger in 2030, 2028, 2027 and 2021 respectively.
Alex Formenton is the only player considered eligible for immediate reinstatement, a move she will see both within Hockey Canada and in the NHL as the league operates under separate jurisdiction.
In 2018, the five former Under‑20 players were accused of assaulting a woman (referred to as EM) in a hotel room during a gala in London, Ontario. Justice Maria Carroccia found the evidence unreliable, and the players were acquitted on July 25, 2025.
Despite their acquittal, Hockey Canada ruled that they breached the code of conduct, prompting the suspension ruling. The decision is seen as a crucial step toward addressing systemic failures in Canada’s sports culture and promoting safe sport.
