Latest news with #WorldJuniors
The Guardian
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Canada's hockey case exposed a toxic culture – yet the accuser ended up on trial
The stunning conclusion to a pivotal sexual assault trial has left some observers in Canada shocked but unsurprised – not only by a judge who seemed to scrutinize the female accuser more harshly than the five ice hockey players who ultimately walked free, but by yet another missed opportunity for a reckoning in the macho culture of a major professional sport. The blockbuster case seemed to crystallize any number of hot-button topics – the #MeToo movement, the nature of consent, the role of pornography, the impunity of men – in the most Canadian way possible: through hockey. The trial, which occurred over several weeks in May, saw five members of Canada's lionized World Juniors team – Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, Carter Hart and Cal Foote – charged with sexual assault after an incident in a hotel room in London, Ontario, seven years ago. The complainant, identified as 'EM', who was 20 at the time, alleged that she left a bar with McLeod and had consensual sex with him – but had no idea he then texted other players asking them to join in a 'three-way'. In court, EM testified that she was drunk and intimidated by multiple large men entering the room, which she estimated at times to be as many as 11, some of whom were just there to eat and socialize. EM also said that although she engaged in group sex acts with some of them, they were as part of a 'porn star' persona she adopted in order to placate the men in what she felt was a dangerous situation – and did not actually consent to any of the activity. The men, for their part, have claimed EM was sexually aggressive, begged them for sex and actively consented to all of it. McLeod also recorded two videos of EM after the group encounter had finished, in which she said she had consented to sexual activity. EM testified that while she didn't remember the videos being filmed, she recalled McLeod 'hounding' her to say she consented. In fact, EM testified over nine grueling days, seven of them under by cross-examination by five separate teams of lawyers, one for each accused. Only one of the men testified. So when Justice Maria Carroccia told a packed London courtroom last Thursday that she found the complainant to not be 'credible nor reliable', it elicited gasps. As an example of these 'issues related to credibility', the judge said it was 'telling' that EM testified she weighed 120 pounds – despite records showing she was 138lb. EM had explained she was just sticking to what she had estimated previously. The judge interpreted it as mendacity. 'The complainant, rather than answering the question truthfully, chose to repeat what she had said previously,' she said. Carroccia also questioned how drunk EM could have been, as videos did not show 'any obvious signs of impairment, such as stumbling' and suggested she 'initiated touching' with McLeod at the bar despite having initially said she did not. In the end, the judge determined that EM fully consented, and was essentially lying in court – a callous take that appeared to scrutinize the female complainant's claims far more harshly than the five men, according to Daphne Gilbert, a criminal law professor at the University of Ottawa. 'I was extremely disappointed in the decision, and to me, it's the worst possible outcome for [the woman] and efforts to tackle sexual violence generally,' Gilbert said, noting the judge's conclusion seemed an extreme one to reach based on EM's testimony, and appeared to indicate that she considered the complainant to be on trial, rather than the men. 'She didn't believe the complainant and only focused on what deficiencies she saw in the complainant, and doesn't speak about the men at all,' said Gilbert. 'I find that astonishing in a case like this,' she said. 'She just completely blamed EM, and in doing so, she invoked stereotypes.' But few stereotypes may ultimately have proved as powerful as the one of Canada's mainly young, mainly white and mainly male hockey stars being infallible national symbols – a stereotype which the case at first threatened to explode. The entire sordid saga did not emerge into public view at all for many years: police dropped their initial police investigation in 2019 after seeing video that made them think EM was not as drunk as she had stated; EM then sued Hockey Canada in 2022, which conducted its own investigation and settled with her for an undisclosed amount. It was only when the settlement was leaked to the media that a public uproar saw police reopen the investigation, and lay charges in early 2024. But it also revealed the existence of a secret Hockey Canada fund, which the organization eventually admitted it had specifically created to pay settlements in sexual assault cases against players – apparently lifting the lid off a long-simmering culture of abuse and cover-ups extending far beyond the case at hand. Sponsors dropped Hockey Canada like flies. In 2022 the incident spilled over into parliament, with hockey executives called in for questioning about what they knew of the London case and whether hockey had a problematic culture of the kind that would require the existence of a secret fund to settle assault claims. The furore led to multiple reforms, including mandatory training for athletes and staff on sexual violence and consent. The players themselves were barred from the NHL, though many have since been playing in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League. Now that the trial is over, the immediate discussion has turned to whether the NHL would readmit them. The league said in a statement that even though the men had been acquitted, and the allegations found not to be criminal, they were disturbing and 'the behaviour at issue was unacceptable'. It said it was conducting an analysis and 'determining next steps'. Many observers think it's likely the players will be made eligible again. Sponsors, meanwhile, have quietly returned to Hockey Canada. It was a starkly different atmosphere from 2022, and evidence that the trial alone was probably never going to be enough to bring a true reckoning to hockey culture, said Taylor McKee, an assistant professor at Brock University in Ontario who specializes in hockey and masculinity. He said in order to address a culture of secrecy and lack of boundaries, Hockey Canada needed to turn a 'flamethrower' toward the issue. If one person has behaved in a way that is compromising someone else's safety, including sexual assault, McKee advocates for punishing the entire team. 'That's the kind of messaging I want to hear from Hockey Canada: a zero tolerance policy,' he said. But with cars passing the courthouse after the verdict honking in support of the players, and with the union for professional hockey players now advocating for the men's return, what appears more likely, at least for now, is for the story that threatened to shake the foundations of a sport being forgotten as quickly as possible.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lightning Prospect Invited To Team Canada's World Junior Summer Showcase Camp; Unable To Attend
Recently acquired and now top Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Sam O'Reilly has been invited to Team Canada's World Junior Summer Showcase camp, but is unable to attend.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
18 Current & Former WHLers Named To Canada's 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase Roster
Eighteen current and former WHLers have been named to Canada's 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase roster. The annual event is an opportunity for Canada's staff to scout players for the upcoming 2026 World Juniors in December. Canada will play four games over the week-long event, facing off against Finland, Sweden, and the USA while also participating in an intersquad game.
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL prospects light up day 2 of 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase; Schaefer returns, Mooney impresses, Koivu rebounds
NHL-Matthew Schaefer during the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine (Credit: Getty Images) The second day of the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase at Ridder Arena delivered a packed slate of high-stakes action as national junior rosters for Canada, the United States, Finland, and Sweden continued taking shape. With the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship set for December 26 to January 5 in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, every shift mattered. Several NHL Draft prospects made their presence known either in their comeback, breakout, or redemption arc. Matthew Schaefer's Unbelievable Story Of Adversity And Perseverance Matthew Schaefer makes strong return for Team Canada Matthew Schaefer, the New York Islanders' first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, made his long-awaited return to action in a spirited practice with Team Canada. The 17-year-old defenseman hadn't played since suffering a broken clavicle during Canada's second game at the 2025 World Juniors a freak injury that sidelined him for the entire 2024–25 season. LJ Mooney, a 5-foot-8 forward chosen by the Montreal Canadiens in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Draft, is refusing to let size define him. Mooney, who played last season for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP), tallied 51 points in 51 games and was a standout at the 2025 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, helping the U.S. secure bronze. Aatos Koivu making up for lost time with Finland Aatos Koivu, son of former Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu, is chasing redemption after missing out on Finland's 2025 World Juniors due to mononucleosis. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Long Hau: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo Healthy and motivated, the 18-year-old winger is back competing for a roster spot. Last season, Koivu played 32 games with TPS in Finland's Liiga, often facing older, stronger competition. Aatos Koivu Mixes It Up with James Hagens Several Times in WJSS Opener - Highlights 7-27-25 FAQs What is the World Junior Summer Showcase? It's an annual event for Team USA, Canada, Finland, and Sweden to evaluate junior players for the IIHF World Junior Championship. When is the 2026 World Juniors? The tournament runs from December 26, 2025, to January 5, 2026, in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Which NHL teams are represented? Players from the New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and others are participating. Why is this showcase important? It helps national programs evaluate top NHL prospects and finalize rosters ahead of World Juniors. In Finland's scrimmage against the U.S., Koivu slotted into the top line with Heikki Ruohonen (Philadelphia Flyers) and highly rated 2026 draft prospect Roope Vesterinen. With his skill, experience, and hockey IQ, Koivu is a strong candidate to crack the final WJC lineup this winter. Also Read: The NHL's most explosive player, Nathan MacKinnon, is chasing greatness with the Colorado Avalanche Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
West Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Former NHL players Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé and Alex Formenton found not guilty of sexually assaulting woman in Canadian hotel room in 2018
Within minutes of starting to read her verdict, the words of Justice Maria Carroccia resonated across Canada as she bluntly assessed that: 'I do not find the evidence of E.M. to be either credible or reliable'. Observers in the courtroom reported hearing gasps of both shock and relief, reactions that mirrored those from many in Canada and beyond who have closely followed the troubling and at times, graphic, details of the case. Five ice hockey players — Michael McLeod, Callan Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé and Alex Formenton — were all acquitted on Thursday on charges of sexual assault in connection with a June 2018 incident at a hotel room in London, Ontario, when they were members of the country's World Juniors hockey team. E.M. met McLeod and other players in Jack's Bar in London, Ontario, on June 18 and went back to the London Delta Armouries Hotel with him, where he and other players were staying. The group was in town to attend the Hockey Canada Foundation Gala and Golf event after winning gold at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. During her testimony via video link, E.M. said that she was naked, drunk and scared in the hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018, when four men she did not invite showed up. She said she feared what they might do if she did not go along with their sexual demands, and adopted a 'pornstar persona' to get through the night. She added that she made the choice to dance and drink with them at a bar beforehand and had consensual sex with McLeod, but did not consent to sexual acts with others. McLeod, Hart and Dubé received oral sex from E.M. in the room, while Formenton and E.M. had vaginal sex in the hotel room's bathroom. McLeod and E.M. also had vaginal sex a second time. Dubé also slapped E.M.'s buttocks, and Foote did the splits over E.M. as she lay on the ground. All five men were charged with — and found not guilty of — a single count of sexual assault each, while McLeod faced an additional charge of party to an offence. Carroccia read and detailed her decision for more than five hours, outlining the evidence, her assessment of that evidence and the reasoning that she says supported her acquittals. It was the reaction of E.M., their accuser, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, to the verdict that many were curious about this week. 'She's obviously very disappointed with the verdict and very disappointed with her Honour's assessment of her honesty and reliability' Karen Bellehumeur, a lawyer representing E.M., said after the verdict. Bellehumeur called her client E.M. a 'hero' saying E.M.'s purpose was standing up for herself and trying to seek accountability. But in a disquieting accusation, she added that E.M. found her treatment at times during cross-examination was insulting, unfair, mocking and disrespectful. 'I want people to understand that the entire interaction between the parties was probably about seven hours and she (E.M.) faced seven days of cross-examination on those seven hours so, think of that,' Robert Talach said in a phone interview from London, Ontario where the trial is being held. Talach represented E.M. in her civil lawsuit against Hockey Canada that was settled in 2022, but he does not currently represent her. 'For all these people who say she had ulterior motives, there's nothing in it for her in any meaningful way in going through this criminal process,' Talach said, pointing out that E.M. went to police right after the incident in 2018, but the case was dropped due to lack of evidence. Bellehumeur also noted the men had not been found innocent, but rather 'not proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt'. After the verdict, prosecutors noted that they have 30 days to consider an appeal and that what they wanted was a fair trial to both the accused men and E.M. that was based on the evidence and the law and not based on 'stereotypes and assumptions'. 'We want to thank E.M. for coming forward and for her strength in participating in this process,' said Meaghan Cunningham, an Ontario crown attorney outside the London courthouse moments after the verdict. The details of this case, sometimes sexually graphic, were discussed and considered in Canada's bedrooms and hockey rinks alike and have made news internationally. An issue from a legal perspective is what constitutes consent when it comes to sexual activity. The issue culturally is the behaviour of Canada's hockey prodigies and the conduct of Hockey Canada. According to Canadian law, consent to sexual activity is defined in part by 'the voluntary agreement of the complainant to engage in the sexual activity in question'. 'Conduct short of a voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity does not constitute consent as a matter of law.' Carroccia said that, 'in this case, I have found actual consent…' adding that she believes E.M.'s behaviour during the incident was 'not motivated by fear'. The five men and their teammates testified during the trial that E.M. repeatedly asked for sexual activities and became annoyed when they would not comply. While in Canadian law consent must be ongoing and cannot be given after any sexual encounter, Carroccia reportedly said she reviewed two short videos of E.M. taken by McLeod that defence lawyers claimed proved consent, and that she was also able to determine that E.M. was not intoxicated to the point of being unable to give consent. E.M. is heard saying in the videos that it was 'all consensual' and that she was OK. Carroccia noted on Thursday that in the video, E.M. is wiping her eyes. E.M. testified this could have been her crying. The judge found that to be speculative. During the weeks-long trial, the court heard from multiple teammates, including current Vegas Golden Knights player Brett Howden. He frequently cited being unable to remember the events from seven years ago, even prompting a voir dire or trial within a trial when prosecutors accused him of feigning his memory loss. His previous statements and social media communications were ruled inadmissible, due to being coerced by Hockey Canada investigators — as players were threatened with penalties such as suspension if they did not cooperate — or for being heresay. In one 2018 text to a teammate, Howden said he left the hotel room as 'Duber' was smacking E.M.'s buttocks 'so hard'. 'It looked like it hurt so bad.' Carroccia ruled the text could not be used as evidence because Howden could not verify its accuracy seven years later. In previous statements to investigators, he described hearing E.M. cry during this interaction. In the same interview, Howden said he heard her 'weeping' and left because he 'didn't want to be a part of anything'. Carroccia found that Dubé did slap E.M. buttocks, but did not think Dubé was one of the men taking turns slapping her as hard as they could, as reported by CBC. Howden also described being shown the consent videos by McLeod, telling investigators 'Mikey' had recorded it after E.M.'s 'little episode'. 'He's like, 'This is when she calmed down',' he said. 'So I don't know if that means after she was crying and stuff.' McLeod told investigators that E.M. did become upset at points in the night, but because she was embarrassed the men would not have vaginal intercourse with her. A group chat between the players involved that night — totalling 11 men including current players Howden, Calgary Flames player Jake Bean, Ottawa Senators player Drake Batherson, Dallas Stars player Sam Steel, Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) player and former Anaheim Ducks and Carolina Hurricanes player Maxime Comtois, and former KHL and American Hockey League (AHL) player Tyler Steenbergen — was also discussed in court. Only Howden, Steenbergen, New York Rangers player Taylor Raddysh and Tampa Bay Lightning player Boris Katchouk were called as witnesses — the latter two making early appearances in the hotel room just after E.M. and McLeod had the first instance of sexual intercourse but before any further sexual activities took place. Dubé created the chat after learning that Hockey Canada had been informed of the incident. In the chat, McLeod said: 'We all need to say the same thing if we get interviewed can't have different stories or make anything up.' They then discussed how best to have a call on FaceTime or other platforms, given their various timezones. Bean then said: 'No, boys. Like we don't need to make anything up. No one did anything wrong. We went to that room to eat. The girl came, she wanted to have sex with all of us. No one did. She gave a few guys head, and then we got out of the room when things got too crazy. And Mikey literally has a video giving her consent.' Dubé responded: 'OK ya f*** we are fine the boys who did things got consent so just tell them that it's fine.' Howden said: 'All we have to say is 'someone brought the girl back to the room. We were all in there ordering food and then this girl started begging from everyone to have sex with her. Nobody would do it. But then as time went on she gave three guys head. Once things started to get out of hand we all left and got her out.'' Comtois agreed and Bean said: 'Yeah like boys that's literally the truth so.' McLeod later asked what he should say if questioned about why he made the consent videos. Bean responded: 'You took the videos because you wanted to make sure nothing bad would happen. And cover yourself.' He also told players to stop talking in the group chat, and speak with their agents. Bean's father John Bean was the president and chief executive officer of Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, which owns the Calgary Flames NHL team and other sports teams, for more than 14 years until he stepped down in 2024. On Thursday, Carroccia said the group chat was not proof of collusion and was simply them 'recounting their recollections'. During the trial, the court heard that McLeod sent a text to the team groupchat inviting them to his room for a 'three-way, quick'. He then also pulled Raddysh and Katchouk into the room and asked if they wanted oral sex. During initial investigations, McLeod said he told his teammates he was ordering food to the room. These texts were not produced in court, and McLeod did not testify, but the court heard he left the room to receive an order of food downstairs. Canadian broadcaster TSN first reported that E.M. had settled a lawsuit with Hockey Canada – the nation's governing body for the sport – and a cascade of developments followed, including June 2022 parliamentary hearings over Hockey Canada's handling of the case, and July 2022 announcements that London police and Hockey Canada would reopen their investigations. Part of the investigation focussed on how Hockey Canada had paid $7.6 million from its National Equity Fund — which is funded partially via player registration fees — in settlements for more than 20 sexual misconduct reports since 1989. The now-cleared hockey players have said Hockey Canada did not inform them of the settlement with E.M. David Humphrey, a lawyer for Michael McLeod called the verdict 'just', adding that his client has suffered significant damage to his career and reputation. And he singled out the conduct of Hockey Canada and how it first handled the allegations from E.M. 'The players were only told of the lawsuit and the settlement after the fact. Had they'd been consulted, they would have refused to settle and they would have vigorously contested E.M.'s allegations. That version of events dominated headlines and created the lasting and the false, a false impression of guilt,' Humphrey said outside the courtroom. Few believe the reckoning for Canada's hockey culture will end with this case. Writing online for The Conversation after the verdict was announced, academics Laura Misener and Treena Orchard posited that it is sports culture that should be on trial. 'Elite athletes often operate within environments where their talent grants them special status and access to resources — monetary and otherwise — that bolster a sense of entitlement. In some instances, sport organisations exacerbate this sentiment by protecting their star performers instead of addressing misconduct, which was reflected in this case,' Misener and Orchard said. This month, Hockey Canada published a progress report on the 2022 action plan it introduced as part of the fallout from this incident. Hockey Canada says all national team athletes, coaches and staff now undergo a mandatory enhanced screening process, and complete training on sexual violence and consent, however it acknowledges that 'there is still more work to be done.' During parliamentary hearings in June 2022, executives for Hockey Canada disclosed that the organisation was notified of the incident the day after it was alleged to have taken place in 2018. 'We immediately initiated a process to investigate, beginning by contacting police. We commissioned an independent investigation and appointed an independent adjudication panel of judges to review the findings of that investigation,' Tom Renney, Hockey Canada's former CEO, said during testimony. While Renney confirmed during the hearings that Hockey Canada had settled a civil lawsuit that E.M. filed in April 2022, but he did not reveal the settlement amount. In July 2022, Hockey Canada published a letter apologising for it said was inadequate action regarding the assault allegations, and said it was reopening an internal investigation. Three months later, the organisation announced its CEO and board of directors were being replaced. None of the five men have played in the NHL since early 2024. McLeod and Foote both played for the New Jersey Devils, and were granted indefinite leaves of absence in January 2024. Both their contracts ran out after the season and they were not re-signed. Hart played for the Philadelphia Flyers and was also granted an indefinite leave of absence in January 2024. He was not tendered a qualifying offer at the end of the season and became an unrestricted free agent in July 2024. Dubé played for the Calgary Flames and was granted an indefinite leave of absence in January 2024. The team received criticism for citing his mental health as the reason, and later claimed they had no knowledge of the pending charges against him when Dubé requested the leave of absence. Like Hart, Dubé was not tendered a qualifying offer at the end of the season and became an unrestricted free agent in July 2024. Formenton played for the Ottawa Senators until 2022. When the terms of a new contract could not be agreed upon, he signed with Swiss club HC Ambrì-Piotta of the National League (NL). He was granted a leave of absence by the team in January 2024, and revealed in court that he had 'moved on from a hockey career' and now has a construction job in Canada. McLeod, Foote and Dubé all played for the KHL before the trial started, though their contracts have ended or are set to end soon. All members of the Canadian team from 2018 were suspended from representing the country at any international tournaments, though Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar was cleared to play for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off after an independent review led to his ban from international hockey being lifted. Makar had previously said he was not involved in the incident. 'I wasn't there,' he told reporters last year. 'It was a very fortunate bounce to not obviously be a part of something like that.' The NHL released a statement in response to the players being found not guilty, saying they are still not eligible to play in the league at this stage. 'The allegations made in this case, even if not determined to have been criminal, were very disturbing and the behaviour at issue was unacceptable,' it said. 'We will be reviewing and considering the judge's findings. 'While we conduct that analysis and determine next steps, the players charged in this case are ineligible to play in the league.' The NHL employs a morality clause in its contracts, requiring players to 'conduct himself on and off the rink according to the highest standards of honesty, morality, fair play and sportsmanship, and to refrain from conduct detrimental to the best interest of the club, the league or professional hockey generally', as reported by the Globe and Mail. The NHL Players Association (NHLPA) responded to the league's statement by saying its players should 'have the opportunity to return to work'. Ruling the players ineligible while the NHL further evaluates the case does not align with the terms of their collective bargaining agreement, it said. 'We are addressing this dispute with the league and will have no further comment at this time.' If cleared, it has been raised that teams may not want to sign the players due to anticipated backlash, but it would not be the first time a team has weathered the storm. Many have pointed to the Edmonton Oilers as a possible home for Hart, though an industry insider recently said the team has no interest in hiring the goaltender. 'Any report about the Oilers having interest in Carter Hart is incorrect,' Jason Gregor said on X. 'Edmonton will not be approaching him, even if he is found not guilty.' The Oilers were criticised for hiring Stan Bowman as General Manager last year. Bowman was the GM of the Chicago Blackhawks when prospect Kyle Beach alleges he was sexually assaulted by video coach Brad Aldrich. Beach claimed that he was sexually assaulted in May 2010 and the team was made aware of the incident but did not address it as they made a run for, and eventually won, the 2010 Stanley Cup. Aldrich resigned from the Blackhawks after the season. He was allowed his day with the cup, as is tradition. Aldrich later went on to be a volunteer coach at a high school in Houghton, Michigan, where he was arrested and pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor in 2013. TSN reported he even had a second day with the Stanley Cup in 2016, after being released from prison and while he was on probation and a registered sex offender. Prior to the 2022 reporting, the Blackhawks scandal was the biggest in NHL history. Beach sued the team in 2021, eventually reaching a confidential settlement. A second unnamed player sued the team in 2023, with a trial anticipated later this year. The Anaheim Ducks received backlash earlier this year for hiring Joel Quenneville as their new coach. Quenneville was the head coach of the Blackhawks during the aforementioned period. The Vancouver Canucks also received backlash for hiring Cal Foote's father Adam Foote as head coach in May while his son's trial was in court. The New York Rangers last year settled with a former employee after she made sexual assault allegations against player Artemi Panarin. Panarin is contracted to the team until the end of the 2025/26 season. Investigations into other alleged incidents remain ongoing, including allegations against the 2003 Canadian World Juniors hockey team and a 2014 sexual assault allegation involving eight former players for the Mississauga Steelheads, now the Brampton Steelheads, of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
