The recent developments surrounding the sexual assault case that shook Canadian hockey have had a significant impact on the NHL players involved.
Four players, including Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, and Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames, were not offered contracts by their teams. This decision has made them free agents, able to sign with new clubs as of Monday at noon ET. The players are still awaiting trial after a woman sued Hockey Canada in 2022 for allegedly being sexually assaulted by eight members of Canada’s world junior team in 2018.
Charges were filed against five players in February in London, Ontario, leading to multiple investigations and legal battles. The woman who filed the lawsuit alleged that she was sexually assaulted by the players after a fundraising gala in London in 2018. Hockey Canada settled the lawsuit, and it was later revealed that the organization had secret funds to pay settlements for claims of sexual assault and abuse.
According to London Detective Sgt. Katherine Dann, the alleged incident took place in a hotel room in the early morning hours of June 19, 2018. The victim claimed that she was intimidated and prevented from leaving while multiple men carried out undisclosed sexual acts. The police investigation was closed in 2019 with no charges, but it was reopened in 2022 after the lawsuit was filed.
The NHL also launched its own investigation into the matter in 2022. Commissioner Gary Bettman stated that the league would release its findings, pending legal proceedings. The players involved, including Hart, McLeod, Foote, Dube, and former NHL player Alex Formenton, have all been charged with sexual assault. McLeod is facing an additional charge of being a party to the offense.
Despite the allegations, the attorneys for all five players have maintained their innocence and declared that they will fight the charges. The players were on paid leave from their teams until the end of the month, awaiting the outcome of the legal proceedings.
The aftermath of the NHL sexual assault case has highlighted the serious nature of the allegations and the impact they have had on the players involved. The legal battle continues, and the players await their trials while asserting their innocence. The ongoing investigations serve as a reminder of the importance of addressing such allegations and ensuring that justice is served for all parties involved.
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