Four Canadian hockey stars remain suspended after sexual assault acquittal

What the report says

An independent appeals board has ruled that four of the five Canadian hockey players acquitted of sexual assault should remain suspended from Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs, saying they violated the organization’s code of conduct. The players are Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Carter Hart. The fifth player, Alex Formenton, was also found to have breached conduct rules, but the board said he can be reinstated. BBC World News reported that the case concerns former members of Canada’s under-20 junior team and stems from an incident in 2018 in London, Ontario.

The players were found not guilty in July 2025 after a trial that focused on whether the woman involved had consented to all of the sexual activity in a hotel room after a gala. The court heard conflicting accounts, and the judge said she did not find the complainant’s evidence credible or reliable. The latest ruling does not affect their ability to play in the NHL, which operates separately from Hockey Canada.

Under the board’s decision, Formenton may return immediately, while the others face staggered waiting periods before they can be eligible again for international hockey. The BBC said these dates differ by player, but officials did not explain why. Canada’s sports secretary said the case has contributed to a wider national debate about safe sport and accountability in men’s hockey, adding context to why the decision is being closely watched.