Latest news with #2018WorldJuniors
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Acquitted but not cleared: NHL's Michael McLeod now linked to second alleged sexual assault case
Michael McLeod is facing sexual assault again (Getty Images) The dust had barely settled on the controversial 2018 World Juniors sexual assault trial when a new storm began brewing, one that could once again put NHL forward Michael McLeod in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Michael McLeod, once cleared in the 2018 World Juniors case, faces new scrutiny McLeod, along with Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote, had been declared not guilty in a highly publicized sexual assault case involving a woman at a hotel during the 2018 Hockey Canada gala. Despite the verdict, the NHL quickly announced that all five players were deemed ineligible to return to the league. While the NHLPA continues to challenge that decision, the path back to professional hockey has only grown murkier, especially for McLeod. Recent revelations have tied McLeod to another alleged sexual assault, this time from 2014. At just 16, he was playing for the Mississauga Steelheads in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Peel Regional Police have reopened an investigation into a disturbing incident that reportedly involved eight players and a then-22-year-old woman. Though McLeod has not been formally charged or identified as a suspect, he was part of the Steelheads roster during that season, placing him within proximity of the alleged event. Ongoing 2014 OHL investigation reignites concerns over NHL return eligibility The woman at the center of the 2014 allegations recently came forward with graphic details, triggering renewed attention online and from fans. The case originally resurfaced in late 2024. But only in spring 2025 did the Steelheads' name emerge. And immediately raising questions about who might be implicated; that scrutiny intensified when McLeod trended on social media amid speculation over whether he might again be called to testify or defend himself. NHL, NHLPA clash as more details emerge around former Steelheads player While the other four players from the 2018 case might still have a shot at reviving their NHL careers, Michael McLeod's future appears far more complicated. Between league bans, potential witness roles, and the court of public opinion, the once-promising forward may find himself benched far longer than anyone anticipated. The investigation remains active, and if McLeod's name surfaces formally once again, his road back to the NHL might be shut for good. Also Read: NHL trade update, with the Oilers out, could the Senators be Carter Hart's NHL comeback ticket? For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Hockey Canada assault trial nears end amid emotional testimonies and graphic courtroom revelations
The trial of five former members of Canada's 2018 World Junior hockey team is nearing its end (The Canadian Press) The long and deeply disturbing trial involving five former members of Canada's 2018 World Junior hockey team is nearing its conclusion as defense lawyers prepare their closing arguments on June 9. The players, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton, and Cal Foote, face serious charges stemming from an alleged group sexual assault in a London, Ontario hotel room in June 2018. The 2018 World Juniors sexual assault case heads into final arguments Over the past seven weeks, the trial has painted a harrowing picture. The complainant, referred to as E.M. due to a publication ban, testified she had 12 alcoholic drinks the night of the incident and described moments of extreme fear and detachment. "I didn't feel like I was an active participant when I was that numb," she told the court. E.M. also described players discussing sexual acts with a golf club, adding a chilling layer to her testimony. — junonewscom (@junonewscom) Cellphone videos and group chat messages became key evidence. A message from McLeod reading, "Who wants to be in a 3 way quick," signed off with "209- mikey," directly linked him to the hotel room where the alleged incident occurred. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 무릎에서 소리나거나 무거운 느낌 드는 분만 읽으세요. 큰딸민지 더 알아보기 Undo Witnesses, including Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk, gave statements of limited recollection, while Tyler Steenbergen revealed that Foote and Dube had contacted him to suppress details of their actions. Steenbergen testified seeing Foote doing the splits over E.M. and Dube slapping her buttocks: "It wasn't hard, but it didn't seem soft either." Hart, the only accused to testify, insisted the sexual activity was consensual, claiming E.M. even held hands with Formenton as they went to the bathroom. He also stated he would not have tolerated anything "disrespectful." Multiple setbacks plagued the proceedings, including two mistrials due to jury tampering and inappropriate conduct by defense teams. As the case transitions into closing arguments, Justice Maria Carroccia will determine the timeline for her ruling. Also Read: Too sober to be raped? The explosive story behind the dropped 2018 Hockey Canada probe The case has shaken Hockey Canada and the NHL, prompting federal scrutiny and sponsor withdrawals. With closing submissions imminent, the trial's outcome could have wide-reaching consequences for the sport's culture and accountability.
National Post
29-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Hockey Canada trial: Goalie Carter Hart testifies
Article content The trial of five players from Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team, charged with sexual assault over an alleged incident inside a London hotel, continues on Thursday with the Crown closing its case and goalie Carter Hart testifying. Follow along below for live coverage from LFP reporter Brian Williams
National Post
27-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Cop who opted not to charge players testifies at Hockey Canada trial
Article content Steve Newton is a retired London police detective who decided against charging members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team in connection with an alleged incident in a downtown hotel with a woman. Five players were later charged with sexual assault and on Tuesday Newton began his testimony at their trial. Follow below for live updates from the London courthouse Article content
New York Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Brett Howden, defense attorney clash during pointed cross-examination
LONDON, Ont. – During cross-examination on Tuesday, Brett Howden was accused by the defense of minimizing his interactions with the complainant in the hours before the alleged incident at the center of the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial and lying about a phone call he said he had with a teammate about the matter. Advertisement In a pointed back and forth, Julianna Greenspan, attorney for Cal Foote, suggested that Howden, now a member of the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights, purposely withheld information from investigators to avoid further scrutiny of his own actions. Dillon Dubé, Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton and Foote are each accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the early hours of June 19, 2018, after a Hockey Canada gala in London, Ont., where team members gathered to celebrate their 2018 World Juniors championship run. All five players pleaded not guilty in the trial, which is now in its sixth week. Howden, a key Crown witness in the case, was the first member of the 2018 Hockey Canada world junior team to interact with the complainant at Jack's bar the night of the incidents. After dancing with the woman — known in this trial as E.M. — he introduced her to McLeod. On Monday, Greenspan showed Howden surveillance video from the bar and pressed him repeatedly to acknowledge he slapped E.M. on the buttocks multiple times. Howden dug in and even after Greenspan showed him the video two additional times, with a portion of the video slowed down, maintained that he slapped her only once. As Greenspan's cross-examine of Howden continued on Tuesday, she pressed him further about his own actions the night of the incidents at the center of this trial, suggesting that Howden had minimized his interactions with E.M. at the bar in past interviews with both Hockey Canada and police investigators. In July 2018, Howden told Hockey Canada investigator Danielle Robitaille that E.M. was just 'part of a mixture with a bunch of girls on the dance floor.' When Greenspan pressed Howden on that characterization, he said that he was responding to short surveillance clips of a long night. 'A few minutes with someone who ends up in room 209, right?' Greenspan asked. 'A few minutes of direct, very close dancing contact.' Advertisement 'Yeah, but I've also never seen this girl in my life,' Howden said. 'And on the dance floor at the bar, you can tell that it's obviously dark. … I don't think it's fair that a couple minutes out of a whole night that you just expect me to know this girl that I've met for the first time in my lifetime.' 'Things aren't fair, are they Mr. Howden?' Greenspan asked, prompting the Crown to object about the basis of the question. Greenspan suggested to Howden that he knew about his contact with E.M. at the bar when he talked to Hockey Canada investigators. 'No I'm not going to accept that, because like I told you it was a long night,' Howden said. 'And I don't know how I could remember exact moments of a multiple-hour night.' Greenspan continued to press Howden about his 'direct and repeat contact' with E.M., describing his evidence as a 'false memory' to which Howden said that he had been drinking over the course of a 'long night.' 'I was being as honest as I could,' Howden said. 'I'm going to suggest that you did know,' Greenspan said. 'You did know exactly and at least until you find out about Hockey Canada and police getting involved, you never thought for a second that there was anything wrong with what happened. Agree or no?' 'No, I didn't think I did anything wrong that night,' Howden said. 'And knowing what you did on the dance floor, knowing what happened at Jack's bar, and everything else, you never thought that there was any problem with your behavior, right?' Greenspan asked. 'Yeah, correct,' Howden said. Howden was also accused by Greenspan of making up a phone call in which he said he was asked by Foote not to mention him or his actions to Hockey Canada investigators. Greenspan suggested that once Howden learned about the 2022 lawsuit filed by E.M. against Hockey Canada and the allegations contained therein, he offered up an interaction with Foote because he felt he 'had to give some explanation' for not mentioning anything about Foote in the investigations previously. Advertisement Howden disputed that and said he was speaking truthfully about the phone call when he relayed the information to investigators. The Crown, in re-examination, referenced Howden previously sharing specific details about that phone call, in which he told investigators he remembers telling Foote that he didn't see what allegedly happened between Foote and E.M. in the hotel room. Foote is accused of doing the splits over E.M. while she was laying on the ground and grazing his genitals over her face. The Crown also referenced previous testimony Howden gave that his call with Dubé put him in a difficult position with Hockey Canada investigators because he said he views himself as an 'honest person.' Howden's time on the stand ended Tuesday morning. The Crown will next call retired London Police sergeant Stephen Newton as a witness. The Athletic's Dan Robson contributed reporting from Toronto. (Photo by Don Emmert / AFP via Getty Images)
