A critical conclusion was reached in a trial, igniting debates about consent and the cultural status of hockey players, as a judge declared that five former members of Canada’s 2018 world junior ice hockey team were found not guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room that year.
Justice Maria Carroccia ruled in a packed Ontario courtroom that the Crown had not proven the charges beyond reasonable doubt, stating that the complainant was “neither credible nor reliable.” All five men – Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, Carter Hart, and Cal Foote – were acquitted of all offenses. The judge’s comments, which came seven years after the woman first alleged she was sexually assaulted, sparked audible gasps in the courtroom.
The charges stemmed from an incident in a London, Ontario, hotel room in June 2018, following a Hockey Canada gala celebrating the team’s world junior championship victory. Crown attorney Meagan Cunningham noted that a fair trial respects the rights of victims and the accused.
The case cast a shadow over Canadian hockey, drawing scrutiny to both the players and Hockey Canada, which later admitted to maintaining secret funds for sexual assault settlements. Judge Carroccia pointed out inconsistencies in the complainant’s testimony, notably around her alcohol consumption.
Dozen of protesters gathered outside the courthouse in support of the accuser, expressing concerns about justice. The men, all top junior players and many with professional hockey careers, were charged in early 2024 with sexual assault.
The victim, identified as “EM,” claimed consensual initial contact with McLeod but said consent was not given for the subsequent acts by the other players. Text messages revealed McLeod’s invitation of others to a “three-way” in his hotel room.
The complainant, now 27, testified that she assumed a “porn star” persona as a form of self-protection during the encounter, feeling pressured by the sudden appearance of the men.
Defence argued that EM consented throughout the night, suggesting her distress was due to feeling rejected by not all players participating. Hart, the only defendant to testify, insisted that EM was enthusiastic and forward with her sexual offers.
“Consent videos” recorded by McLeod post-incident, where EM stated consent, contrasted with her court testimonies of not feeling right at the time. Accusations ofşa negating contextelement abound from both sides.
Scandals involving the initial police investigation and Hockey Canada’s secret funds further marred the trial, which ultimately led to a judge-only trial after two juries were dismissed.
Judge Carroccia emphasized that the court’s duty was to assess the evidence, not to determine morality. EM’s lawyer, Karen Bellehumeur, criticized the trial’s handling, stating that the verdict may discourage survivors from reporting assaults but still encouraged them to speak out.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/24/canadian-hockey-players-sexual-assault-case-dismissed
