Latest news with #hockey
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NHL says the 5 players acquitted of sexual assault are ineligible to join league, NHLPA pushes back
The NHL is barring five players acquitted of sexual assault from re-entering the league, announcing the decision in a statement on Friday. The five players — Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Carter Hart — were found not guilty of sexual assault charges on Thursday. The charges dated back to an incident in 2018, when the players were in London for a gala and golf tournament in honor of their championship win as part of Canada's world junior hockey team. A woman, known as E.M. in the trial, alleged that the players sexually assaulted her over several hours in a hotel room after the event, but the judge, Maria Carroccia, found that the prosecution had not proven the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. With the Hockey Canada trial complete, the NHL has determined that the five players involved in the trial will be ineligible to play in the league — bluntly answering post-trial questions about the players' hockey futures. "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," the league said in Friday's statement. "While we conduct that analysis and determine next steps, the players charged in this case are ineligible to play in the League." The NHL Players' Association quickly pushed back on the decision, releasing its own statement defending the players and saying that they are "addressing this dispute with the League." "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 said. "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." McLeod, Dubé and Hart were all selected in the 2016 NHL Draft, while Foote and Formenton were drafted in 2017. Despite the alleged incident occurring in 2018, charges were not filed until February 2024; those charges prompting all five players to take an immediate leave of absence from hockey. At the time, four of the five players were playing in the NHL: McLeod and Foote played for the New Jersey Devils, Dubé for the Calgary Flames and Hart for the Philadelphia Flyers. Formenton, who previously played for the Ottawa Senators, was playing in the National League in Switzerland at the time. During the year and a half between the charges being filed and Thursday's verdict, two of the players joined other teams, with McLeod spending some time in the Russian KHL and Foote joining the Slovakian league. It is unclear whether the players will try to play in Europe while being barred from the NHL.
CBC
29 minutes ago
- CBC
How do you explain the Hockey Canada trial to your kids?
In the wake of the trial that found five members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team not guilty of sexual assault charges, what conversations are you having with the young people in your life? Plus, provincial leaders in Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia are veering into the debate about bike lanes. Do your streets have too many or too few? Call us at 888-416-8333, or share your thoughts in the form below.
CBC
29 minutes ago
- CBC
What conversations are you having with the young people in your life about the Canada hockey trial?
In the wake of a trial that found five members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team not guilty of sexual assault charges, and which captured national attention and prompted widespread debate on sexual assault, what conversations are you having with the young people in your life? Plus, provincial leaders in Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia are veering into the bike lane debate Call us at 888-416-8333, or share your thoughts in the form below.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Matthew Tkachuk gets married in lavish wedding to cap off Panthers' Stanley Cup victory lap
Matthew Tkachuk's Stanley Cup victory lap featured two very special words this year: 'I do.' The star Panthers forward married fiancée Ellie Connell over the weekend, according to videos shared on social media, roughly one month after winning the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive season. The couple swapped vows at a church where Tkachuk, looking dapper in a dark tux, dipped his bride for a kiss as they walked down the aisle. Connell, who reportedly got engaged to the two-time NHL All-Star in 2024, stunned in a strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline. Once the party got underway at the reception, it was the groom's father, Hockey Hall of Famer Keith Tkachuk, who stole the spotlight as he was hoisted onto a chair as Chappell Roan's 'Pink Pony Club' blared in the background. The song was famously part of the Oilers' latest Stanley Cup run, which was thwarted in back-to-back years by the Panthers. Florida defeated Edmonton in six games this year after going to seven in 2024. 'We've got to be a dynasty now,' Tkachuk said in June. 'Three years in a row finals, two championships. This is a special group.' The Panthers have reached the Stanley Cup Final since 2023, losing in five that year to the Golden Knights. Tkachuk was traded to the Panthers before the start of the 2022-23 season after spending the first six years of his NHL career with the Flames. Though Tkachuk was a factor in this year's Cup run — he scored eight goals across 23 playoff appearances — his postseason availability seemed murky after he sustained a lower-body injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off competition. He had not played since February. 'I've had some ups and downs throughout the playoffs, (but) now I'm feeling the best I've felt,' Tkachuck said. 'Personally, I'm very happy with where the health is and everything.' And now, he'll have a championship ring to pair with his wedding band.
CTV News
an hour ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Calgary Hitmen name Dustin Friesen head coach
The Calgary Hitmen hired Dustin Friesen as their next head coach Friday. The American Hockey League (AHL) club made the announcement in a media release. They also named Brad Moran and Dakota Krebs assistant coaches. 'We are excited to welcome Dustin as our new head coach,' said Hitmen general manager Garry Davidson. 'He is a proven winner at every level in his playing career and has had a direct impact on championship teams in the past two seasons.' 'He has a passion to develop players and to create a strong culture. We know he will lead and guide our team and build on our progression and success from last season.' WHL news – former associate coach of the QMJHL champion Moncton Wildcats Dustin Friesen will be the next head coach of the Calgary Hitmen. — Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) July 22, 2025 Moncton Friesen comes from the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he helped lead the team to a QMJHL championship and a trip to the Memorial Cup. Prior to that, Friesen coached the Prairie Hockey Academy's U18 team from 2021 to 2024, and contributed to the Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2023-24 season when the Warriors won the WHL championship. Moran has spent the seven years with the Calgary Canucks, including six as head coach and general manager, helping guide the club to two AJHL championships and a Centennial Cup championship in 2025. Moran is also the Hitmen's all-time leader in games played (357), goals, assists and points -- 450, including 204 goals and 246 assists -- during five seasons with the club from 1995 to 2000. Krebs returns to the staff after spending last season as video coach. Prior to that, Krebs spent four years with the University of Calgary Dinos men's hockey program, serving as assistant captain for two seasons. Other returning coaches include goaltending coach Theodore Zubot and strength and conditioning coach Sean Hope-Ross.
