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Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Opinion: Hockey Canada trial exposes culture of victim-blaming
Article content All of Canada it seems was tuned into the verdict Thursday for the five hockey players accused of sexual assault. For advocates and survivors, we did so with a feeling of dread and a terribly familiar feeling of déjà vu. Article content The players have of course been found not guilty. The accusation was that 2018 Canadian world junior champions and ex-NHL players Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote sexually assaulted a women called E.M. in a London hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018, when she was 20 years old. McLeod was also acquitted of being a party to a sexual assault, for allegedly encouraging his teammates to engage in sexual activity with E.M. when he knew she wasn't consenting. Article content Article content Article content The judge's verdict seemed to go out of its way to dismiss the experience of E.M., calling her unreliable, despite the fact that Hockey Canada seemed to find it valid enough to award her a large settlement and the police felt there was valid evidence to pursue charges. It is worth noting that of all the cases reported to police of sexual assault, research suggests only a small percentage go to trial, so this wasn't a case without merit or reason. Article content Article content Regardless of whether these actions met the weight of a criminal act, they were at their most obvious, sexual misconduct. It has been determined in court that these five men knew the victim was drunk; they texted afterwards about getting their stories straight and they also got her to film a video asserting her consent. At no time in my entire dating life have I had to do that and I am sure you have not either. Article content Article content However, the responses online have been vicious: Comment after comment calling her a whore. Saying she wanted it. Saying she should even be prosecuted. Article content I have written for this publication and others for over a decade on sexual violence. I am a survivor myself. During Me Too, we had this false moment of belief that the culture of victim-blaming or slut-shaming was over, that we had reached a new point of being able to approach the issue of sexual violence from a victim centric approach. Article content Now, when I use that term I get people saying 'innocent until proven guilty.' Yes, absolutely. I am not saying, nor is any advocate, that we should not have a fair judicial process in these matters but is it fair to subject a survivor to five days of aggressive testimony when none of the players save one had to do the same? Is it fair that she is accused of trying to ruin people's lives and deemed a slut and these players are given a free pass? None of this is fair. The system itself is designed — despite recent moves to train judges and increase awareness — to protect people who commit sexual violence and when it comes to sports stars, the public is all too happy to be part of it.
ABC News
3 days ago
- ABC News
Five Canadian ice hockey players have been acquitted of sexual assault. What happened?
Five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team were this week acquitted in their high-profile sexual assault case. An Ontario judge said prosecutors could not meet the onus of proof for the charges against the men — four of whom were active NHL players. The players' identities were kept hidden for years after a police investigation into the incident was closed without charges in 2019. But, after reports that Hockey Canada used players' registration fees to pay an undisclosed settlement to the woman who made the accusations, the case was reopened and made public. How did it all go down? Here's what we know. Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart and Cal Foote were each found not guilty this week of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room after a Hockey Canada gala in 2018 to celebrate the team's world junior championship victory. All five former National Hockey League (NHL) players faced one count of sexual assault, while McLeod faced an additional count of being a party to an offence. They all pleaded not guilty. The woman — known publicly as just EM under Canadian law — testified that a one-night stand with Michael McLeod turned into a group sexual assault. The defence's case centred around the EM's credibility — she spent nine days testifying in the witness box. None of the five men accused took the stand. Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia cleared all five men, telling the courtroom that she did not find the complainant's evidence to be "credible or reliable" and that the Crown failed to prove she did not consent to the sexual activity. EM testified that she was naked, drunk and scared when four of the men showed up unexpectedly in her room at the Delta Hotel London Armouries in London, Ontario and felt the only "safe" option was to do what they wanted. "I made the choice to dance with them and drink at the bar, I did not make the choice to have them do what they did back at the hotel," she testified. Prosecutors argued the players did what they wanted without taking steps to ensure she was voluntarily consenting to sexual acts. Years of speculation regarding the allegations — fuelled by a lawsuit settlement, parliamentary hearings and revived investigations by the police and Hockey Canada, along with an NHL investigation — all preceded the complex trial, which began in April and included a mistrial and the dismissal of the jury, leaving the verdict to Judge Carroccia. A police investigation into the alleged incident was closed without charges in February 2019, but investigators reopened it in July 2022 in response to public outrage over reports that Hockey Canada used players' registration fees to pay an undisclosed settlement to the woman who made the accusations. At the time, the public still didn't know of the allegations or the players' identities. In July 2022, Hockey Canada executives told a House of Commons committee that the organisation had paid $CAD8.9 million ($9.8 million) for sexual abuse settlements to 21 complainants since 1989. The scandal prompted the Canadian federal government to freeze Hockey Canada's funding for 10 months while a number of major companies either paused or cancelled their sponsorships with the national governing body. Hockey Canada said it would no longer use a fund financed by player registration fees to settle sexual assault claims, and the organisation's CEO Scott Smith and board of directors stepped down. In 2023, Hockey Canada said an independent adjudicative panel held a hearing on whether certain members of the 2018 national junior team breached the organisation's code of conduct, and if so, what sanctions should be imposed against those players. The players' identities were made public when they were charged in early 2024. The high-profile case sparked a debate in Canada over ice hockey culture, consent and sexual assault. Outside of the courtroom, a crowd of supporters gathered as the verdict was handed down. Fabienne Haller, who held a sign reading "Thank you EM for your courage", told CTV News she was "devastated" at the ruling. "I'm a woman, and I have been in a situation where I can somewhat relate," she said. "I'm devastated because I understand." Karen Bellehumeur, EM's lawyer, told reporters her client — who was not in the courtroom on Thursday but watched remotely — was devastated. "She's obviously very disappointed with the verdict and very disappointed with Her Honor's assessment of her honesty and reliability," Ms Bellehumeur said. "She's really never experienced not being believed like this before. Four of the players were active NHL players when they were charged by police in 2024, which came shortly after they took leave from their respective teams, while Formenton was playing in Switzerland at the time. Following the verdict, the NHL said the players, who are now all between the ages of 25 and 27, are not allowed to sign with a team while it reviews the judge's findings. "The allegations made in this case, even if not determined to have been criminal, were very disturbing and the behaviour at issue was unacceptable," the NHL said in a statement "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 National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) said ruling the players ineligible during the review is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement. "After missing more than a full season of their respective NHL careers, they should now have the opportunity to return to work," the NHLPA said in a statement. "The NHL's declaration that the players are 'ineligible' to play pending its further analysis of the court's findings is inconsistent with the discipline procedures set forth in the CBA." ABC/wires
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault case continue to sit out pending internal review
Lawyer of Carter Hart, one of the Canada's world junior hockey team accused of sexual assault (via Getty Images) Even after a court dismissed all criminal charges against Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton in a 2018 sexual assault case, the National Hockey League has decided to retain the five players suspended from playing. The move by the league has triggered fresh tensions with the NHL Players Association regarding compliance with collective bargaining agreements. NHL will not remove suspension from Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, and others even after acquittal Michael McLeod (past member of the New Jersey Devils), Carter Hart (Philadelphia Flyers), Dillon Dube (Calgary Flames), Cal Foote (New Jersey Devils), and Alex Formenton were all acquitted on Thursday by Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia. The trial, surrounding charges of sexual assault at a 2018 Hockey Canada event, had held the Canadian public and the hockey universe in suspense for years. What did NHL say? But the National Hockey League said Friday that the players are still "ineligible" to take part in league activities as it considers the judge's findings. "The allegations made in this case, even if not determined to have been criminal, were very disturbing and the behavior at issue was unacceptable. 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mymensingh Sadar Knee Pain Treatments Might Surprise You Knee Pain Treatment | Search Ads Undo " the NHL said in a statement. The league affirmed it will make further disciplinary decisions after finishing its review. Pro hockey players acquitted in Canadian sexual assault trial Justice Carroccia found that the complainant's testimony was neither credible nor reliable and acquitted the five players. The judge commented on "troubling aspects" in her testimony, such as having indicated consent to have sex with the men. Four of the five players were members of the NHL during charges in 2024. The broader case has had a lasting impact on Canadian hockey. A 2019 investigation by police initially closed without charges, but public pressure reignited interest. Reports revealed that Hockey Canada had settled with the woman using CAD 3.55 million from player registration fees, triggering a public outcry and the resignation of senior leadership. Also read: Canadian hockey players found not guilty in controversial sexual assault case after years Although the criminal case is closed, the internal investigation by the NHL still hangs over the professional careers of the five players. FAQs What happened in the NHL sexual assault case? Five Canadian ice hockey players accused of sexually assaulting a woman known as EM in a hotel room. They went on to play in the NHL before having the criminal charges brought against them in February 2024. When did the assault happen? June 2018 Where did the incident occur? London 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!
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
NHLPA pushes back after NHL says five players acquitted of sexual assault ineligible
The five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team were acquitted in the high-profile London, Ont., sexual assault trial Thursday, but the jury is still out on whether or not they'll be able to resume their NHL careers. A few hours after the judge's decision, the NHL said Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé and Cal Foote would be ineligible to play while the league reviews the findings. The NHLPA responded that its players should 'have the opportunity to return to work.' The players were found not guilty of all charges in an encounter with a woman in a hotel room seven years ago, Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia ruled. The NHL stated the allegations in the case were 'very disturbing,' even if not deemed criminal. The league also called the behaviour of the players 'unacceptable.' 'We will be reviewing and considering the judge's findings,' the statement read. 'While we conduct that analysis and determine next steps, the players charged in this case are ineligible to play in the league.' The NHLPA said ruling the players ineligible while the NHL further evaluates the case does not align with the terms of their collective bargaining agreement. 'Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, and Michael McLeod were acquitted of all charges by Justice Carroccia of the Ontario Superior Court,' the NHLPA's statement read. 'After missing more than a full season of their respective NHL careers, they should now have the opportunity to return to work. The NHL's declaration that the Players are 'ineligible' to play pending its further analysis of the Court's findings is inconsistent with the discipline procedures set forth in the CBA. 'We are addressing this dispute with the League and will have no further comment at this time.' McLeod, Hart, Dubé and Foote were active NHL players at the time of their 2024 arrests, which came days after all four players were granted leave from their clubs. Formenton, an Ottawa Senators draft pick, has not played in the NHL since 2022. At the time of the incident in 2018, Formenton had played one NHL game, while Foote, McLeod and Dubé had brief stints with their clubs' American Hockey League affiliates. While the NHL's review is taking place, experts believe it's possible players will eventually return to the NHL ice. Ann Pegoraro, a sport management professor at the University of Guelph, said the NHL has not often come down hard on cases of sexual assault or domestic violence. She added that teams would evaluate whether the benefits of a player's talent outweigh the risks of fan backlash and potential loss of sponsors. 'Hockey has a very different culture and has a lot more, I would say, latitude in the way that they look at individuals' personal behaviours,' Pegoraro said. 'Do I think they'll end up back on teams? I think if their skills are good enough, some teams — not all teams — but some teams will look the other way and put them back on rosters if they can contribute to the team.' Though the players were not convicted, their reputations may still carry the weight of the allegations, said Richard McLaren, a law professor at Western University and a longtime member of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport. 'I've seen that in many sexual harassment type situations, and it doesn't just disappear because the case is over,' said McLaren, who's also a labour and commercial arbitrator and mediator with McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP. There are recent examples of people returning to the NHL despite being at the centre of sexual assault controversies. In 2022, the Edmonton Oilers signed Jake Virtanen to a professional tryout less than two months after the former Vancouver Canuck was found not guilty in a sexual assault trial in Vancouver. The Oilers ultimately released Virtanen, who resumed his career in Europe. Stan Bowman and Joel Quenneville — the general manager and head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks scandal in 2010 — are both back in the NHL after failing to act on Kyle Beach's claims that video coach Brad Aldrich had sexually assaulted him. Bowman became the Oilers GM last year, and Quenneville was hired as head coach of the Anaheim Ducks in May. Both needed to be reinstated by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. The NHL did suspend Los Angeles Kings defenceman Slava Voynov for the entire 2019-20 season and playoffs after determining he committed acts of domestic violence. While Hart and Formenton did not play professionally during the 2024-25 season, McLeod and Dubé spent last season in the Kontinental Hockey League, playing for teams based in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Foote, meanwhile, played a season in Slovakia. McLaren said those countries are more removed from scandals surrounding the accusations, while NHL teams are more likely to consider the optics. 'They operate a lot like businesses or corporations these days,' he said. 'They're going to look at how a player's history is going to affect the sponsorship organizations at the club level as well as at the NHL level. Also, the community relations that clubs have with their community are important. 'And what the impact of all this would be on their ticket sales. Those would be the kind of things that they'd be looking at.' Mac Ross, a fellow at Saint Mary's University who researches sport and communication, said American teams are more likely to consider signing a player than in Canada, where the story has been under a sharper spotlight. 'They'd face a lot more scrutiny from the Canadian public,' he said. 'I think they probably could play again. And especially if you consider that the vast majority of the NHL is in the United States, there's a pretty significant cultural shift going on down there where the rights of women are under attack.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'We've got a long way to go': Public reaction grows after Canada's former World Junior Hockey players acquitted of sexual assault
Five members of Canada's 2018 world junior team charged with sexual assault were acquitted, but they likely won't find themselves back in the NHL anytime soon Ont-Hockey Canada-Sexual Assault 20250724 The verdict of a widely publicized sexual assault trial involving five former NHL players has ignited a complex national conversation with Canadians weighing the outcome through lenses of accountability, justice and hockey's cultural grip. Members of Canada's World Junior Hockey squad — Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, and Dillon Dube — were charged with sexually assaulting E.M., a woman whose identity is protected under a standard publication ban, in a hotel room in 2018 while the team was gathering to celebrate its gold medal win months before. On Thursday, following eight weeks of trial, Ontario Superior Court justice Maria Carroccia found all of the accused men not guilty on all charges. Judge did not find complainant's evidence to be 'credible or reliable' As part of her judgment on Thursday, Justice Carroccia stated that she found the evidence submitted by the prosecution to be unreliable, before going ahead and sharing the reasoning behind her decision. Going through each defendant one-by-one, Justice Carroccia said the Crown had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the complainant in the case, E.M., had not given consent. Hour-after-hour on Thursday, Justice Carroccia laid out a number of issues she found with the evidence and E.M's "reliability and credibility." Carroccia noted several "gaps in E.M.'s memory and discrepancies between her statements to London police and her civil settlement in 2022 compared to her recollections under cross-examination," according to the CBC. Justice Carroccia also told the court that the complainant 'exaggerated her intoxication' on the night the alleged acts took place, while rejecting the Crown's argument that E.M. had only participated in the sexual because she was afraid of the group of men in the hotel room. 'We've got a long way to go': Canadians react to Justice Carroccia's ruling Following the acquittal of each former NHLer, many social media users expressed their dissatisfaction with the verdict, while offering support to E.M. Outside the courthouse in London, Ont., on Thursday, Lawyer Karen Bellehumeur told reporters her client, E.M., faced "insulting mocking and unfair treatment" during cross-examination as she went on to reflect on the judgment. 'She's obviously very disappointed with the verdict and very disappointed with her Honour's assessment of her honesty and reliability' said Bellehumeur. Where does the NHL stand on the players' future in the league? Per insider John Shannon, it's still unknown whether the five acquitted players will ever be allowed to make their way back to the NHL, despite being found innocent by Justice Carroccia. The NHL released a statement confirming Shannon's report: "The allegations made in this case, even if not determined to have been criminal, were very disturbing and the behaviour at issue was unacceptable. 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." Crown has 30 days to appeal the verdict Following Thursday's verdict, assistant Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham spoke to reporters outside the courthouse as supporters of E.M. cheered. 'A successful prosecution is not measured solely by whether or not there are guilty verdicts at the end,' Cunningham said. Cunningham added the Crown will 'carefully review' Carroccia's decisions but won't comment further because "this case is still within the appeal period."
