Philadelphia Flyers Make Move With Carter Hart


The Philadelphia Flyers' Carter Hart started out the season as a coveted goaltender, both for his team, and, as a pending unrestricted free agent, for other clubs around the NHL as a potential trade target. 

Last week, Hart asked for and was granted a leave of absence by the team, and then on Tuesday, we learned what we had all suspected, that he was one of the five former members of the 2018 Team Canada world juniors team that was asked to surrender to London police on charges of sexual assault. 

Now, the Flyers have taken their own action on Hart, moving him to non-roster. 

Flyers beat writer Dylan Robillard notes that "a trial for the investigation isn’t expected to happen before 2026," leaving Hart's long-term future as a Philadelphia Flyer very much in question. Meanwhile, his lawyers have released a statement that he is innocent, and say that they will "provide a full response to this false allegation" in a court of law.  

New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod and defenseman Cal Foote, and Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube have also surrendered to London, Ont., police to face sexual assault charges in relation to an alleged incident that took place at a Hockey Canada event in 2018. They have also all declared their innocence, through their legal representation. 

Another member of that world juniors team, Alex Formenton, a former Ottawa Senator who'd been playing in Switzerland, has also turned himself in. His legal team has said, "Alex will vigorously defend his innocence."

Police are expected to hold a news conference to provide more information this coming Monday, February 5th.

Photo: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sport