An independent appeal board has determined that five players who had been cleared of sexual assault allegations in 2025, stemming from an incident at a Hockey Canada gala in 2018, have violated the Hockey Canada code of conduct. Hockey Canada has accepted the board’s recommendations regarding continued suspensions and reinstatement dates for Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, and Michael McLeod.
The appeal board, consisting of John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen, advised on continued suspensions for four players. Reinstatement dates vary, with McLeod set for Nov. 10, 2030, Foote eligible on Nov. 10, and Hart and Dube eligible on Nov. 10 in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Formenton, however, is immediately eligible for reinstatement.
Hockey Canada announced that all other members of the 2018 team are now eligible for participation in Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs. The five suspended players, who had NHL careers before the charges, have been free to sign with NHL teams since Oct. 15 and play since Dec. 1.
Regarding the current whereabouts of the players, Hart signed with the Vegas Golden Knights and contributed to their appearance in this year’s Stanley Cup final. Dube joined St. Louis on July 1, McLeod played for Omsk Avangard in the Kontinental Hockey League, and Foote played for the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League. Formenton has been playing in Switzerland for the past three seasons.
Following the settlement of a lawsuit between Hockey Canada and the woman involved in 2022, the organization faced scrutiny from Canada’s sport minister at that time, leading to a forensic audit and a temporary freeze on federal funding. Hockey Canada executives were questioned by MPs on how they handled the situation.
Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s current secretary of sport, emphasized the importance of accountability and the need for a safe sports environment. He acknowledged the findings of the appeal board and highlighted the progress made by Hockey Canada in addressing systemic issues, becoming a signatory to the Canadian Safe Sport Program.
Van Koeverden stressed the government’s commitment to monitoring national sport organizations and ensuring the implementation of measures to prevent maltreatment and foster a culture of safety, respect, and integrity in sports.