Breaking: Acquitted Hockey Canada Player Cal Foote Signs New Contract

Monday, December 01, 2025 , , ,

Cal Foote, NJ Devils defenseman

As one of the 'Hockey Canada Five' who were acquitted of alleged sexual assault charges this past summer, Cal Foote was eligible to return to the NHL as of today. He has now signed a new contract in North America, though not at the top level. His deal is with the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League.  

It's a standard AHL contract for the 26-year-old, 6-foot-5 defenseman. 

The former New Jersey Devils blueliner, Foote hasn't played in North America since taking a leave from the NHL in January of 2024. He, along with Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, and Alex Formenton were all cleared by the NHL to sign contracts in October and return to official game play as of today, Dec. 1st. 

They were all acquitted in a London, Ontario court this past summer of an alleged sexual assault incident that took place during a Hockey Canada event at the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championships. 

Hart was just recalled by the Vegas Golden Knights and is expected to make his return to the NHL when he gets the start in goal on Tuesday night. 

As for Foote, he was a first-round pick (17th overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning, but never made much of an impact there as a bottom-pairing and depth d-man. He was traded to the Nashville Predators in 2023, and signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Devils that summer.

He played just four games for New Jersey, as he did not make the team out of training camp and was placed on waivers. He went unclaimed and spent most of that season with the Utica Comets of the AHL. He spent a bit of time with the Devils, but was often a 7th defenseman and was a healthy scratch on numerous occasions. He went on leave in January due to the charges. 


Photo: © Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

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