Hockey Canada Announces Suspension Updates For The 5 Acquitted Players In Sexual Assault Case

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 , , , , ,
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Although they were acquitted of sexual assault charges by a London, Ont. court last summer, and reinstated by the National Hockey League, four of the five members of the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championship Canadian team will remain suspended by Hockey Canada.  

On behalf of Hockey Canada, an independent appeal board conducted its own investigation to determine if the players breached the Hockey Canada Code of Conduct. It was determined that all five players did, and were suspended from international play for Canada. 

Alex Formenton, who hasn't played in the NHL since 2021-22, is the only one of the five who has now been reinstated by Hockey Canada. He can now play for a Canadian international team if he is selected. He has played the last three years in Switzerland.

The other four will remain suspended from competing for Canada until the following dates:

  • Cal Foote: suspended until November 10, 2026
  • Carter Hart: suspended until November 10, 2027
  • Dillon Dube: suspended until November 10, 2028
  • Michael McLeod: suspended until November 10, 2030

Hart is the only one of the five that has returned to NHL play at this point, having backstopped the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Finals this past spring. He will be going into the second season of his two-year, $2M AAV contract in Vegas.

Dillon Dube was signed this summer to a one-way, $850,000 contract by the St. Louis Blues. He spent last season with their Springfield Thunderbirds AHL affiliate and had 20 goals and 37 points in 46 games. He added another five goals and eight points in 12 playoff games. 

Foote was signed this summer by a Swedish club in the SHL, but the team had a change of heart and cancelled the contract two days later. 

McLeod is currently playing on a contract in the KHL. 

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