A legal expert specializing in sports affairs predicts that NHL teams will carefully evaluate the talent and potential backlash before deciding on signing any of the five players acquitted in the 2018 London sexual assault trial. The NHL recently announced that Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, and Carter Hart, who are all unrestricted free agents, can resume playing on December 1. However, they will be able to negotiate with teams starting October 15 while awaiting full reinstatement.
These five players were accused of sexual assault following an incident with a woman after a 2018 gala celebrating the Canadian world junior team’s gold medal. The trial began in April and concluded in July with all charges being dropped.
According to Greg Gilhooly, a lawyer and sexual abuse survivor, the decision to sign these players will vary based on their hockey skills, with more talented players like Carter Hart likely to find teams willing to take the risk despite potential criticism. On the other hand, less prominent players may struggle to secure contracts.
Prior to their arrests in 2024, McLeod, Hart, Dube, and Foote were active NHL players. Hart, in particular, was the starting goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers. Alex Formenton, a former Ottawa Senators draft pick, has not played in the NHL since 2022 and recently joined the Swiss club Ambrü-Piotta.
Despite the players being cleared of charges, the NHL expressed disappointment in their conduct and stated that the players will face league-imposed discipline. The NHL Players’ Association supported the decision and indicated that the players are eager to resume their careers following the resolution with the league.
The announcement drew mixed reactions online, with some viewing it as a strategic move by the league, while others criticized the handling of the situation and highlighted issues within hockey culture. Gilhooly acknowledged the complexities faced by the NHL in such cases and emphasized the challenge of suspending innocent individuals despite contractual obligations.