The landscape of Canadian hockey has been marred by a scandal that continues to cast a long shadow. Four players currently on NHL rosters, who were implicated in the allegations, have not been offered new contracts by their respective teams. This decision comes in the wake of charges filed earlier this year and ongoing investigations that followed a lawsuit alleging sexual assault by members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team.
Unraveling the Scandal
In February, charges were filed in London, Ontario, against five players connected to the allegations. Consequently, these players took a leave of absence from their teams. As of Sunday, the Philadelphia Flyers' goaltender Carter Hart, the New Jersey Devils' Michael McLeod and Cal Foote, and Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube found themselves without qualifying offers, rendering them free agents.
This scandal took root from a lawsuit filed in 2022 by a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by eight members of the Canadian team after a fundraising gala in London in 2018. Hockey Canada settled the lawsuit, prompting further investigations. It was later revealed that Hockey Canada maintained two secret funds to resolve claims of sexual assault and abuse.
The Incident
The alleged incident occurred on June 19, 2018, at the Delta Hotel London Armouries. A woman, then 20 years old, claimed that 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 contended that the men intimidated her and prevented her from leaving. According to court documents, the men directed her to take a shower and asked her to state on video that she was sober.
London Police were alerted later on June 19, 2018, by a relative of the victim, initiating an investigation that was closed in 2019 without charges. However, the lawsuit's filing in 2022 spurred a reopening of the investigation, leading to charges against five team members.
Consequences and Legal Proceedings
Alex Formenton, formerly an NHL player and now with the Swiss club HC Ambri-Piotta, has also been charged with sexual assault. Despite these developments, attorneys for the accused players maintain their clients' innocence and are prepared to contest the allegations.
The NHL launched its own investigation into the matter in 2022. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman noted that the league's findings would depend on what can be disclosed amid ongoing legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, Detective Sgt. Katherine Dann from the London Police affirmed the charges, stating that they were laid "for all the charges we have reasonable grounds for."
The Fallout
The four NHL players involved were on paid leave from their teams until the end of this month. Their release into free agency now leaves their professional futures uncertain as they await the legal outcomes. As the case progresses, the league and the teams involved face the delicate task of balancing transparency, legal prudence, and the integrity of the sport.
The repercussions of this scandal have ricocheted through Canadian hockey, highlighting the pressing need for organizational introspection and reform. As the investigations unfold and the legal battles commence, the hockey community—and indeed the broader sports world—remains focused on the pursuit of truth and justice in this troubling chapter.