Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Case: A recap of events ahead of July 24 verdict
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The Hockey Canada sexual assault case , involving allegations against five members of the 2018 World Junior team , has gripped the nation and shaken the sport's reputation. The incident allegedly occurred during a post-tournament celebration, prompting a years-long investigation and intense public scrutiny.Five members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team - Michael McLeod Dillon Dube and Callan Foote - faced a trial after an incident that occurred in London, Ontario, in 2018. As the July 24 verdict approaches, the case remains a flashpoint for discussions on accountability, consent, and institutional transparency in Canadian sports. The upcoming verdict will mark a pivotal moment in a case that changed Canadian hockey's image forever.In 2022, a woman filed a lawsuit against Hockey Canada, alleging she was sexually assaulted by eight members of the 2018 World Junior team following a fundraising gala in London, Ontario. The incident reportedly occurred at the Delta Hotel in the early hours of June 19, 2018. Although police initially closed the case in 2019 without charges, the lawsuit - which sought $3.55 million and was settled - led to renewed public outcry and the reopening of the investigation.It also revealed Hockey Canada had two secret funds for settling sexual assault and abuse claims. Charges were laid in early 2024 against five players. In her May testimony, the woman recounted drinking and dancing with several players at Jack's Bar on Richmond Street on that night. She agreed to return to the Delta Armouries Hotel for consensual sex with one of the accused, Michael McLeod. However, she testified that she was naked, intoxicated, and frightened when four other men unexpectedly entered the room. In that moment, she said, going along with what they wanted felt like the only 'safe' option. Prosecutors argued the players failed to seek voluntary consent, while defense lawyers countered she engaged willingly, seeking a 'wild night'.Five players - Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, Dillon Dube, and Alex Formenton - have been charged with sexual assault in connection with the 2018 Hockey Canada case. McLeod also faces an additional charge of being a party to the offense. All five players have pleaded not guilty to the charges as the verdict after the trial had officially concluded earlier this month.None of the players currently holds an active NHL contract. Hart previously served as the starting goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers, while McLeod and Dube were regular contributors for the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames, respectively. Foote, the son of former NHL defenseman Adam Foote, spent much of last season in the AHL. Formenton, who played 109 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators between 2017 and 2022, had most recently been playing in Switzerland with HC Ambri-Piotta.Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia will deliver the verdict in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case, after dismissing the jury in May. The decision came following a complaint that some defense attorneys were seen laughing at members of the jury. As a result, the trial proceeded as a judge-alone case, with Justice Carroccia solely responsible for the final ruling.If any of the accused are found guilty, a wide range of sentencing possibilities exists under Canadian law, with penalties for sexual assault ranging from no mandatory minimum to up to 10 years in prison, depending on the severity of the offense.It remains uncertain whether the players could return to the NHL if acquitted. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has stated that the league will wait for the legal process to conclude before making any decisions regarding their future in professional hockey.Regardless of the verdict, it's clear that all five players have already paid a significant price in terms of their professional hockey careers. Their names and reputations have been deeply impacted, and none currently hold active NHL contracts. To rise from this situation - like a phoenix from the ashes - will demand not only a Herculean mental effort, but also immense physical resilience. Whether or not they return to the ice, the road ahead is steep and uncertain, shaped as much by public perception as by the outcome in court.
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