Who is Cal Foote? NHL defenseman and former Stanley Cup champion accused in Hockey Canada sexual assault trial
and a Stanley Cup winner with the Tampa Bay Lightning, is now facing serious legal trouble as one of the players charged in the high-profile Hockey Canada sexual assault case.
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Foote, the son of former NHL defenceman Adam Foote, was among five former members of Canada's 2018 World Junior team indicted for their alleged involvement in a group sexual assault that took place in London, Ontario.
The rise of Cal Foote from first-round draft pick to Stanley Cup glory
Drafted 14th overall in 2017 by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Cal Foote was once viewed as a cornerstone defenseman. He played junior hockey with the Kelowna Rockets and quickly established himself with his size, skill, and NHL pedigree.
He signed his entry-level contract with Tampa in 2018 and made his NHL debut during the 2020–21 season. That same season, he became part of the Lightning's championship-winning roster, cementing his status as a young player to watch.
Foote later played for the Nashville Predators and had a brief stint with the New Jersey Devils, where he was reunited with his younger brother Nolan. After struggling to secure a permanent NHL role, Foote signed with Slovakian team MHk 32 Liptovský Mikuláš in 2024.
Charges related to the 2018 Hockey Canada scandal
On January 30, 2024, Cal Foote was charged with one count of sexual assault in relation to an incident following a Hockey Canada gala in 2018. The London Police Service confirmed the charge days later. The allegations claim that several members of the Canadian national junior team were involved in a non-consensual sexual encounter with a woman in a hotel room. Foote's lawyer has stated that he "is innocent" and intends to fight the charge.
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The trial began in April 2025 and has become one of the most talked-about cases in Canadian sports, drawing national attention to systemic issues in hockey culture. Alongside Foote, other prominent former NHL players were also charged.
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While the legal proceedings continue, Foote's future in professional hockey remains uncertain, as he was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Devils and now plays overseas.
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